Woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself.

The line rejects the paternalistic premise—common in 19th‑century gender ideology—that women’s safety and social standing should be guaranteed by men (fathers, husbands, the state). Instead, it argues for women’s agency: education, legal rights, and practical capacity to defend their interests without relying on male guardianship. In Anthony’s broader reform milieu, “protection” often functioned as a rationale for restricting women’s autonomy (in property, work, politics, and public life). The quote therefore frames self-reliance as a prerequisite for equality: women must be equipped—socially, intellectually, and civically—to act as full persons rather than dependents.