Fanny Fern, Murray And Sojourner Truth

History has been recorded for generations through written works and the Women’s Rights Movement is no exception. In the 1800’s, women were not allowed the same freedoms as men were given. Activists tried starting movements for years but not until authors from all over the nation worked together to bring up a revolution known as the Women’s Rights Movement. Although many authors worked together to empower women, but it wasn’t until works from Fanny Fern, Judith Sargent Murray, and Sojourner Truth, that the Women’s Rights Movement made dreams become reality. Fern, Murray, and Truth poured passion into each work to become involved in the movement, to contribute all that could be given, and become known as some of the most successful activist

Her education was provided by a local clergyman who taught Murray subjects such as Latin, mathematics, and Greek but her education was not the only distinct feature of her childhood. Her parents were devout theologians and raised Murray and her brother in a liberal setting, thus, influencing the children against the idea of Calvinist doctrine of election. Instead, the family clung to the teachings of Jesus Christ and whoever accepted him received salvation. Murray’s religious beliefs offer an insight into her thought of the capabilities and value of an independent mind of a woman (Levine et al). In attempt to gain literary fame and money, Murray submitted essays to local newspapers and magazines in Boston and her hometown, Gloucester. With not much success with essays so far, Murray started writing plays. The plays consisted of good storylines but needed cosmetic help. Murray took the plays and created two new pieces that would eventually be published. Murray was first published in 1784, an essay on the individuality of the female mind, The Gleaner, which would become a staple of the female production in the new nation (Baym). The author developed a curriculum for female education, taught others based on her Enlightenment ideals, and believed that women should be offered the same capabilities to learn and defend themselves as men. Moreover, Murray composed On the Equality of

Truth, a devout Christian and abolitionist, became the first black woman to ever stand up and speak before a crowd. The speech was never converted to print but her words ring true to this very day. Truth, having no idea the impact she would make, approached the President and spoke with every ounce of passion she possessed. The former slave said simply, “I am a woman’s rights. I have as much muscle as any man, and can do as much work as any man. I have plowed and reaped and husked and chopped and mowed, and can any more do more than that?”. Her simplicity and empowerment stunned the crowd and created a stir of wonder. Women began to ponder the thought of being independent, and wanted to gain knowledge in more areas than one. Women all over the nation began to learn literature, mathematics, and other subjects where access was granted. Though women needed education, the crowd clung to Truth’s words because it offered hope. With Truth’s background in Christianity, the hope displayed in the Bible was enough to earn the trust of her audience. As Truth continued to say “well if woman upset the world, do give her a chance to set it right side up again. The Lady has spoken about Jesus, how he never spurned a woman from him, and she was right”, begging for the opportunity to reach someone in the crowd. The simple woman did more than just reach the