Today marks the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death. To borrow from the brilliant scribe, it’s a truth universally acknowledged that feminists in need of improving their status must be in want of a good role model. With that in mind, here’s what today’s feminists could learn from a true feminist of yore.

One of Austen’s gifts, particularly in her landmark Pride and Prejudice, was the brilliant, sardonic, articulate way she provided extended social commentary about injustices of her day. She loathed the role class or economic distinction played in life, particularly romance.