Molly Speese

1. GRimke Sisters By: Molly Speese

2. Grimke Sisters Accomplishments Sarah and Angelina Grimké are two of the most famous female abolitionists from the 19th Century. They were from a slaveholding family, but spoke out and wrote in support of abolition. The sisters became the first female representatives of the American Anti-Slavery Society to tour and speak to audiences of both men and women. They defended their rights as women to free speech from within the abolitionist movement.

3. Important events Both Sarah and Angelina were sensitive to the injustices of slavery. Sarah broke the law by teaching slaves how to read and, Angelia held regular prayer meetings for her family’s slaves. Angelina wrote a pamphlet, An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South, which was popular and distributed widely. However, it was publicly burned in Charleston, the sisters’ hometown.

4. Importance during this time In 1821, Sarah went to Philadelphia to live among Quakers because she was impressed by their simplicity, piety, and refusal to own slaves. In 1829, Angelina joined her sister. While Sarah made a commitment to boycott all products made by slavery, Angelina joined the Philadelphia Female Antislavery Society. The termfeministwas not yet in use, but feminist ideas definitely shaped the beliefs of Sarah and Angelina Grimké.