Discuss The Role Of African American Women During The Abolitionist Movement

Jesha C. Lor

Raney

Civ II- Research Paper

4/22/16

Roles of African American Women during the Abolitionist Movement Many are well aware of the historical movement the, Abolitionist Movement but, are they aware of the women that were involved? When the abolitionist movement started, its goal was to immediately emancipate all slaves and the end racial discrimination and segregation in the north and south. However, they weren’t granted emancipation until the 1870s. During this movement there were many men activists involved as well as women activists. Women during this era, fought not only in the front line for rights, but also behind the scenes as they integrated their rights for freedom in their daily lives. Women abolitionists fought for

In the manuscript, Stewart thundered, “WE CLAIM OUR RIGHTS”, she prophesied to ominous white America: “Dark and dismal is the cloud that hangs over thee, for thy cruel wrongs and injuries to the fallen sons of Africa. The blood of her murdered ones cries to heaven for vengeance against thee.” This was her call for African Americans to stand up for their rights. Stewart was different from a lot of abolitionists during her time because of the role she established for black women. She believed that it was the women who could establish the “sure foundation” in this movement. Unlike what many believed at the time of the duties reserved for black women, which was the responsibilities of the home, Stewart upheld those beliefs and served as a standard of moral rectitude exemplary to man. Stewart believed that one way to reach the goal of freedom was, for the black men to realize that black women can and should be able to also voice what they believe and that God created females and males equal. To black women she asked, “Why cannot a religious spirit animate us now.” and “Why cannot we become divines and scholars,” in one of her speeches. Many African American women were influenced by the works of Maria W. Stewart and her emphasis on women and religion, such as an African American preacher named, Jarena

Known as the “Moses of her people,” this woman was mainly known for her assistance in leading hundreds of slaves on the Underground Railroad from Maryland to Pennsylvania. However, unlike the previous Abolitionist women mentioned above, Christianity, its beliefs, and spiritual practices were nonetheless vital resources upon which Tubman and her family drew for psychological revival. Harriet was disabled due to her head injury that happened in her teens when, her master threw an iron rod at her head. Later on, Tubman got married to her first husband Joseph Tubman but, remained childless. Later on in life, after many attempts to be free Tubman finally escaped in 1849. After her arrival in Philadelphia, Tubman got in contact with the antislavery movement. Tubman made a trip back to her home in Maryland around fall of 1851 , in attempt to rescue her husband Joseph but then, upon arrival, found out that he had remarried. This was a turning point in Tubman’s life for; it enabled her to focus all her energy on rescuing the rest of her family. By this time, 1851, Tubman became a legend of the Underground Railroad and for the following six years, she established a pattern that she maintained. Each year she made a trip in the fall and a trip in the spring to rescue slaves. By the fall of 1858, Tubman had helped rescued more than 300 slaves in leading them to the North and freedom. She captured do