Who is Mary astell?

Mary Astell (1666–1731) was an English writer and early feminist thinker, often regarded as one of the first advocates for women's rights in the Western world. She is best known for her work "A Serious Proposal to the Ladies," in which she argued for women's education and intellectual development. Astell critiqued the societal norms of her time that limited women's roles and access to education, and she emphasized the importance of reason and virtue. Her writings laid the groundwork for future feminist movements and discussions on gender equality.