How could antebellum women participate in the public sphere even though they were excluded from government and politics?

In the antebellum period women started their first organized effort to achieve social, political and economic equality.  Before the antebellum they couldn't participate in the public sphere and were excluded from the government and politics.  One of the ways they participated in the public sphere in the antebellum period, was the abolitionist movement.  Most women involved in the abolitionist movement spoke publicly and were educated women.  Many women worked as writers in newspapers, and had certain influence in the society of their time.  

the answer is b, encourage free trade