More than 150 guests gathered in Washington’s historic City Tavern on March 31 for a tea and luncheon celebrating women’s influence on American history, 250 years to the day after Abigail Adams wrote a letter to her husband John Adams advising him to “remember the ladies.”

Nonprofit group Moms for America, founded in 2004 by Kimberly Fletcher, hosted the event to introduce the Abby Awards, honoring the first lady’s leadership and spirit.

Five women were selected for the inaugural Abby Awards for their efforts to defend freedom while leading their family and community.  Education Secretary Linda McMahon, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Fairfax GOP Chair Katie Gorka, Brette Powell, who served as special assistant to President Donald Trump, and Daily Wire contributor Isabel Brown.

The gathering was co-hosted by the America First Women’s Initiative and supported by Freedom 250, a nonpartisan group organizing nationwide celebrations for the country’s semiquincentennial anniversary.

Fletcher and her daughter Cassiopeia also penned a newly released book titled “Remembering the Ladies,” recounting the tales of 27 heroic and dedicated women who helped found the country.

One young revolutionary, Deborah Sampson, enlisted in the Continental Army by disguising herself as a man so she could fight for liberty.

Another was given a nickname, Molly Pitcher, after soldiers witnessed her carrying water to cool soldiers and cannons while the battle raged on. She then engaged the enemy by loading and firing when others became incapacitated.

Penelope Barker organized the Edenton Tea Party in 1774, the first women’s political demonstration in the nation.

And the authors describe the courage shown by Hannah Hendee, who defended her children during a 1780 attack on her home in New Hampshire.

“You need to know the stories of who these amazing women were and the things that they did, as mothers, as women, as ladies,” Fletcher said during the event. “Without them, I do not believe the revolution would have ... succeeded.”

She emphasized the stability provided by strong women at home, who were “holding the fort while our men were out serving and fighting” and providing for the troops by sewing and performing other tasks.

“It was a powerful time, and now we’re living the blessings and the fruits of their labors,” Fletcher said.

She said the book was written “to remind you of your place in it, not to entertain you, but to awaken something holy. Because the torch of liberty wasn’t meant to be worshiped. It was meant to be picked up, carried, and passed on. Now it’s your turn.”

Organizers are scheduling events later this year in California, New York, Texas, and other states, with plans to create a patriotic tour of festivals in cities across the nation.

And a new musical written by Christy Stutzman, titled “Washington’s Ring of Spies,” is set for a world premiere later this year.