Also women’s rights. The rights claimed for women of equal privileges and opportunities with men. Also attrib.
[1799. the rights of woman: see RIGHT sb. 10.]
1840. Thackeray, Shabby-genteel Story, iv. One may sympathise with the advocates of woman’s rights who point out this monstrous wrong.
1850. (title) Women’s Rights Convention.
1864. ‘Annie Thomas,’ D. Donne, III. 33. Even though Stephanie Fordyce was no woman’s rights girl.
1883. F. M. Crawford, Dr. Claudius, v. We have seen something of the woman’s rights’ question in America.
Hence Woman’s (women’s) righter, a believer in or supporter of woman’s rights.
1885. Pall Mall Gaz., 23 Feb., 3/2. Women’s righters in Germany have begun to agitate against legislative restrictions on woman’s work.
1894. Le Gallienne, Retrosp. Rev. (1896), II. 179. May she be saved from being a mere realist and woman’s-righter!
