Montagu, as an aristocrat, was unlike other feminist intellectuals of her period in many ways. She appears to have craved the benefits afforded to males of her class in her talks of the need for women's education, but she was less zealous in fighting for the education, much alone the equality, of women in general. And yet, she did play an important role in the movement for women's rights. During the 18th century, women were not only denied the right to own property but also banned from most professions including teaching, law, and medicine. They were also not permitted to conduct any business dealings without a male guardian. In addition, they could not appear in court without being accompanied by a male relative or friend. All in all, it can be said that women had very few rights compared to men. However, this situation was about to change thanks to one influential woman. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu is known for her work on women's issues. She wrote several books on various topics such as hygiene, child rearing, and diplomacy which were widely read at the time. In addition, she played an important role in promoting female education throughout Europe. Her efforts helped make feminism a popular term among the upper classes. In conclusion, Mary Wortley Montagu is considered one of the first feminists due to her involvement with the early movements for women's rights. She fought against all forms of oppression including slavery, poverty, and ignorance.