While women did not gain the right to vote in all sates until 1920, there were still some victories won for women's rights in the period leading up to the Civil War. One of the most notable was New York State granting property rights to married women. This period of activism also set the foundation for the suffrage campaigns that would occur in the early 20th century, along with women's rights, feminist and women of color movements that continue today.
In the 1830s, thousands of women were involved in the movement to abolish slavery. Women wrote articles for abolitionist papers, circulated abolitionist pamphlets, and circulated, signed, and delivered petitions to Congress calling for abolition. Some women became prominent leaders in the abolition movement. Angelina Grimke and Sarah Moore Grimke became famous for making speeches to mixed (male and female) audiences about slavery. For this radical action, clergymen soundly condemned them. As a result, in addition to working for abolition, the Grimke sisters began to advocate for women’s rights.
ReplyDeleteTo add on to the role women played in the abolishment movement notably the Grimké Sisters, the two women were a popular draw on the public speaking circuit. An article in the Vermont Phoenix on July 21, 1837 described an appearance by "The Misses Grimké, from South Carolina," before the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society.
DeleteAngelina spoke first, talking for nearly an hour. As the newspaper described it: "Slavery in all its relations — moral, social, political and religious was commented upon with radical and stern severity — and the fair lecturer showed neither quarter to the system, nor mercy to its supporters.
"Still she did not bestow a title of her indignation upon the South. The Northern press and the Northern pulpit — Northern representatives, Northern merchants, and the Northern people, came in for her most bitter reproach and most pointed sarcasm"
This powerful presence and ability to reach the audience made them and so many woman like them a fatal element in the hopes to free slaves