Women Anti-Slavery Activists

Woman to Woman

“Ye wives and ye mothers, your influence extend--

Ye sisters, ye daughters, the helpless defend--

The strong ties are severed for one crime alone,

Possessing a colour less fair than your own.”

(http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/exhibit/aopart3.html)

Both African American and white women became more active anti-slavery activists in the 1830s. They stated to organize, to write petitions, organize meetings, and give lectures. They wanted to reach especially other women “appealing for interracial sisterhood.”

I’ve learned with the article The African-American Mosaic (http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african/afam005.html,) that when women became greatly involved as anti-slavery activists, many questioned their role. Many thought that the primary roles of activist should be more of a man’s role, and women should assist more then lead. Even with the restraints placed on them, many women had important roles in the anti-slavery movement. It makes me proud to learn about figures such as Maria W. Chapman, Helen E. Garrison, Susan B. Anthony, and Harriet Tubman among other.