Many female writers and would-be writers are familiar with the opinion that according to Virginia Woolf "women could become writers before they could take part in other arts and professions." This was partly down to the social context of the times which meant that although things were improving as slowly as a snail in terms of female employment equality, many Victorians' deeply held luddite beliefs still existed not only in the minds of men, but shockingly and sadly, also in the minds of women! It all came from the Victorian image that women were to be "The Angel in the House" (a Coventry Patmore poem) ie selfless, martyrish sacrificial Victorian women whose only role in life was to pander, smoothe over, flatter, and solace 50% of the population (men!). Virginia saw “Killing the Angel in the House,” as one role of a female writer.”  This proved to be visionary in the world of employment as even today around the globe many women are still struggling for educational, social and economic equality. She famously said,

"for most of history, Anonymous was a woman.” 

and

"Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.”  

There are countries in the world today where girls are forbidden schooling, libraries and indeed any form of education.