Sarah and Angelina Grimke: Influential Abolitionists
Sarah and Angelina Grimke
Period 3
12/12/12
Sarah and Angelina Grimke were the first Southern women to become influential abolitionist, which spoke on the end of slavery; as well as social and political equality for freedmen and women as well. The Grimke sisters stretched the boundary of women’s public role, by giving speeches to audiences with men and women, and by speaking in front of a state legislature about African American rights. Sarah and Angelina broke many of the social and political boundaries subjected on women.
Sarah Moore Grimke was born in Charleston, South Carolina on November 26, 1792 and Angelina Emily Grimke was born on February 20, 1805 in Charleston, South Carolina. Their father was a wealthy plantation owner that owned many slaves; their father was also a politician and lawyer that served as the chief judge of South Carolina. Both girls were educated privately at home in the appropriate manner for young ladies of their social level. Sarah and Angelina grew frustrated with the education they were provided with and the expectations of the role they were supposed to play in the Charleston society. Both girls spoke out against the ill-treatment of slaves that they saw firsthand.
In 1819, Judge Grimke became ill and Sarah went with him to Philadelphia to get medical treatment. While in Philadelphia Sarah met the Society of Friends, the Quakers appealed to her because they rejected slavery. After Judge Grimke died Sarah moved to Philadelphia in 1821 and became a Quaker. Angelina began to attend Quaker meetings in Charleston and she began to ask questions about slavery. Angelina began to speak against slavery to elders of her Presbyterian Church. When Angelina got no response from the church and no answers from her family about slavery she moved to Philadelphia in 1829, joining Sarah in voluntary exile and becoming a Quaker.
For the first couple of year they did charitable and rreligious work. In 1835, Angelina joined the Philedelphia
Period 3
12/12/12
Sarah and Angelina Grimke were the first Southern women to become influential abolitionist, which spoke on the end of slavery; as well as social and political equality for freedmen and women as well. The Grimke sisters stretched the boundary of women’s public role, by giving speeches to audiences with men and women, and by speaking in front of a state legislature about African American rights. Sarah and Angelina broke many of the social and political boundaries subjected on women.
Sarah Moore Grimke was born in Charleston, South Carolina on November 26, 1792 and Angelina Emily Grimke was born on February 20, 1805 in Charleston, South Carolina. Their father was a wealthy plantation owner that owned many slaves; their father was also a politician and lawyer that served as the chief judge of South Carolina. Both girls were educated privately at home in the appropriate manner for young ladies of their social level. Sarah and Angelina grew frustrated with the education they were provided with and the expectations of the role they were supposed to play in the Charleston society. Both girls spoke out against the ill-treatment of slaves that they saw firsthand.
In 1819, Judge Grimke became ill and Sarah went with him to Philadelphia to get medical treatment. While in Philadelphia Sarah met the Society of Friends, the Quakers appealed to her because they rejected slavery. After Judge Grimke died Sarah moved to Philadelphia in 1821 and became a Quaker. Angelina began to attend Quaker meetings in Charleston and she began to ask questions about slavery. Angelina began to speak against slavery to elders of her Presbyterian Church. When Angelina got no response from the church and no answers from her family about slavery she moved to Philadelphia in 1829, joining Sarah in voluntary exile and becoming a Quaker.
For the first couple of year they did charitable and rreligious work. In 1835, Angelina joined the Philedelphia
Bibliography: 1) Berkin, Carol. "Angelina and Sarah Grimke: Abolitionist Sisters." The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. ERA, 2009. Web. 13 Dec. 2012. 2) Adams, Anne. "Angelina and Sarah Grimke." Angelina and Sarah Grimke. History 's Women, n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2012. 3) Sarah and Angelina Grimké." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2012. Web. 13 Dec. 2012 4) McGuire, William, and Leslie Wheeler. "Sarah Grimké." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2012. Web. 13 Dec. 2012. 5) McGuire, William, and Leslie Wheeler. "Angelina Grimké." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2012. Web. 13 Dec. 2012. Picture: http://www.ushistory.org/us/26c.asp