Moens was blinded at a young age by a severe case of smallpox but grew up with a love of language – she loved to be read to. She embarked on her own career as a young woman of letters by dictating to friends, writing poetry, articles, novels and plays. She took a critical interest in politics and society, speaking out in support of the emancipation of marginalised groups and against injustice. Moens continued to live with family members for a long time, but in 1821 she moved out, to Utrecht, where her assistant Antonia Elisabeth Camphuis came to live with her. The pair had a special bond, and possibly a love relationship. They were buried in the same grave.
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