To the Young Women of Malolos

This famous letter was written by Jose Rizal in Tagalog, while he was in London, upon the request of M. H. del Pilar. The story behind this letter is that a group of twenty young women of Malolos petitioned governor-general Weyler for permission to open a “night school” so that they might study Spanish. The young women bravely continued their agitation of the school despite of the objections. Until they had finally succeeded in obtaining government's approval.

According to Rizal, women in Malolos must be reasonable and open their eyes because they are the first to influence the consciousness of man. He reminded them to always put in their mind that it is better to die with honor that living with dishonor nor spending on her knees, nor in endless prayers, reading novenas, and practicing "awits" from the church, because she is quickened by hope in the future. That nobody has the right to subjugate one another. With Rizal's letter to the young women of Malolos want to say is that, the women must reflect, see the situation of the country, and see how they can stand and crown theirselves with success and knowledge.

Their courage to stand for their right and pursue their aspirations had been an eye opener to the other Filipinos. It simply shows that either man or woman: All has its capacity to insists and reject the imbalances given to them.