<P> The Edenton Tea Party was a political protest in Edenton, North Carolina, in response to the Tea Act, passed by the British Parliament in 1773 . Inspired by the Boston Tea Party and the calls for tea boycotts and the resolutions of the first North Carolina Provincial Congress, 51 women, led by Penelope Barker, met on October 25, 1774, and signed a statement of protest vowing to give up tea and boycott other British products "until such time that all acts which tend to enslave our Native country shall be repealed ." </P> <P> The Edenton Tea Party was a landmark, not because of the stances taken--boycotts were common across the Thirteen Colonies--but because it was organized by women, who at this time were very much absent in politics, the Tea Party was one of the first instances of political action . Despite their usual absence at political gatherings, women played a significant role in the running of the household and were therefore crucial to boycott efforts instigated by men . Barker believed their action would be noteworthy in England and sent a copy of the declaration to the British press . She said at the time, "Maybe it has only been men who have protested the king up to now . That only means we women have taken too long to let our voices be heard . We are signing our names to a document, not hiding ourselves behind costumes like the men in Boston did at their tea party . The British will know who we are ." </P>

Where did the edenton tea party take place