Mary Katherine Goddard

Revolutionary printer who risked treason to publish the Declaration of Independence

Mary Katherine Goddard (1738–1816) was an American Revolution-era printer and postmaster whose bold decisions shaped early American journalism. Unlike most women of her time confined to domestic roles, she took over her brother's printing business in Baltimore and became the first to print the full names of signatories on the Declaration of Independence in 1777 – an act of defiance against British authority.

Her newspaper, The Maryland Journal, openly supported revolutionary causes despite risks of persecution. She later became one of the first female postmasters in 1775, managing complex colonial mail routes. When pressured to resign in 1789 under sexist policies, she fought for her position through petitions – a rare early example of workplace gender equality advocacy.

Goddard's legacy lies in proving that women could excel in male-dominated fields like publishing and civic administration. Her meticulous record-keeping preserved critical Revolutionary War documents, earning her recognition from figures like George Washington. Discover more about her contributions at the National Women's History Museum.