The Quakers believed that all people were equal in God’s eyes, which was a radical idea at a time when people were divided into social classes based on their wealth or birth. The Quakers stressed that regardless of where someone came from, they could be saved as long as they showed true repentance for their sins and had a desire to serve God with all their heart. This belief led them to welcome everyone into their meetings, including women, children and slaves. This was highly unusual at the time since most churches excluded women from participation in religious life and prohibited slaves from entering most places of worship.
The Quaker belief in equality extended beyond religious life as well: they were among the first groups to advocate for universal education for both girls and boys; they also supported equal treatment under the law regardless of color or race (most other groups did not).
The Quakers opened several schools during this time period and were one of the first religious groups to advocate for universal education for girls as well as boys. They believed that education was necessary to allow every person to reach their full potential, regardless of their social class or gender. They opened several boarding schools for both boys and girls, where all students received a quality education regardless of their financial situation or religious affiliation.
