Sarah and Angelina Grimke Abolitionists and Woman Rights Activists "I recognize no rights but human rights—I know nothing of men’s rights and women’s rights…men and women were created equal. They are both moral and accountable beings, and whatever is right for man to do, is right for woman."1 – The Grimke Sisters: Sarah and Angelina Grimke – civil rights Kaitie Hess and Kat Staley

Early Life Wealthy slave-holding South Carolina family Sarah - born on November 26, 1792 Angelina - born on February 20, 1805 Strongly disagreed with slavery Secretly taught slave children to read Sarah moved to Philadelphia to become a Quaker (1821) Angelina followed in 1829

Later Life Moved to New York to work for its Anti-Slavery Society (1836) Angelina married abolitionist Theodore Dwight Weld (1838) Sarah moved in with the couple The three abolitionist suffered financially in the following decades Farmed and operated schools in 1840s/1850s Retired to the Hyde Park section of Boston (1864) Sisters activism switched to woman’s rights Attempted to cast ballots in the 1870 election Rejected by male Hyde Park officials Sarah attempted to vote for the first time at age 80 Died three years later in 1873; Angelina died in 1879

Anti-slavery movement Anti-Slavery Movement- Abolitionism is a movement to end human slavery Quakers earliest to protest slave trade 1831- William Lloyd Garrison made The Liberator and founded the New England Anti- Slavery Society 1833- The American Anti-Slavery Society was founded- split in 1839 Books, pamphlets, newspapers, and other publications were crucial to the spread of anti-slavery 1863- Lincoln delivered Emancipation Proclamation which stated “all persons held as slaves within any State, or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” The 13th Amendment of the Constitution officially abolished slavery in the United States

The Women’s rights movement Women’s Rights Movement- The term women's rights refers to the putative freedoms and entitlements of women and girls of all ages. Began because of the anti-slavery movement- belief equality should extend to both African-Americans and women Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton- prominent early advocates for woman’s rights 1848- Seneca Falls Convention- called to issue a declaration for woman suffrage and educational and employment rights 1850- first national convention for women’s rights was held by Lucy Stone Many societies formed such as The National American Woman Suffrage Association 1919- women’s suffrage bill passed- 19th Amendment of the Constitution

CONTRIBUTIONS Angelina Sarah 1835- first published work, a letter fighting slavery published in abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator 1836- An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South pamphlet encouraging white women in the south to disapprove of Slavery 1837- An Appeal to the Women of the Nominally Free States 1837 (written)- Letters to Catherine Beecher defended the right to speak publicly for causes such as abolition 1838- first woman to speak before a legislative committee presenting an antislavery petition to Massachusetts law makers 1836- An Epistle to the Clergy of the Southern States An pamphlet against slavery ****1838- Letters on the Equality of Sexes and the Condition of women rights of African- Americans and women are the similar (written with Theodoreand Weld) 1839- American Slavery as It Is: Testimony of a Thousand Witnesses Quoted Southerners about treatment of slaves, how it was acceptable, and the slave trade itself

contributions Both sisters visited 67 cities on a tour of Northeast to speak for abolitionist movement Lectured unpopular topics to a public audience Created heated debates and controversy

Effects Gave others the confidence to speak up Connected anti-slavery and woman’s right “I know you do not make the laws, but I also know you are the wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters of those who do; and if you really suppose you can do nothing to overthrow slavery you are greatly mistaken.”-Angelina Grimke, Appeal to the Christian Woman of the South Educating individuals about anti-slavery and the lack of woman’s rights Defying the role of a woman Criticized for their “unnatural” behavior Great influences for the rights of African-Americans and woman

MLA Secondary: "Grimke Sisters." Nps.gov. National Park Service, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2013. <http://www.nps.gov/wori/historyculture/grimke-sisters.htm>. "Rights for Women." Rights for Women. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2013. <http://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/rightsforwomen/abolitionandsuffrage.html>. "The Feminist Movement in the United States." The Feminist Movement in the United States. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2013. <http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/ATLAS_EN/html/the_feminist_movement_in_the_u.html>. "Young and Brave: Girls Changing History." Young and Brave: Girls Changing History. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2013. <http://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/youngandbrave/asgrimke.html>. Primary: Grimke, Angelina E. Appeal to the Christian Woman of the South. New York: American Anti-Slavery Society, 1836. Print. Grimké, Sarah Moore. An Epistle to the Clergy of the Southern States. New York: n.p., 1836. Print.