Harriet Martineau was inspired to contribute to social theory and feminist thought through her own experiences and observations of social inequality. Living during the 19th century, she faced the limitations imposed on women and became an outspoken advocate for women's rights. Her writings, including "Society in America," explored the intersections of gender, class, and race. Martineau used her travels as a journalist and her extensive reading to highlight social injustices, advocating for moral reform. Her pioneering methodologies and focus on empirical observations also helped lay the groundwork for later sociological studies and feminist ideologies.