The image of a supplicant woman slave became the emblem for the women's antislavery movement.
Philadelphia was a stop on the Underground Railroad leading fugitive
slaves North, and many decided to stay, strengthening the abolitionist
movement in the city. In September, 1830, Philadelphia hosted
the first meeting of the American Society of Free Persons of Colour (which later became the National Negro Convention).
This was just one of numerous organizations black people created
to further their community and the cause of emancipation. More
than 100 beneficial societies were founded in the 1830s, to assist
poor blacks in times of sickness, disability, and distress. Most
of these societies were formed by blacks, and 62 were women's
societies. The black community in Philadelphia also created schools
for their children, since black children were denied access to
public schools until 1829, when the first black public school
was erected, followed by the second in 1832.
Philadelphia's blacks were satirized in the popular press. See the cartoons, Is Miss Dinah at Home?, Black
Charge, and Grand Celebration ob De Bobalition Ob African
Slabery.
By organizing, black people were able to have a voice
in legislative issues affecting them. In January, 1832, the black
community presented a Memorial to Pennsylvania legislators, arguing
against a resolution recently passed by the House banning black
emigration into the state, and urging the repeal of some existing
fugitive slave laws.
• Address to the Free People of Colour of these United States
• Appendix to Memorial to Pennsylvania Legislature
• Beneficial Societies
• Schools
Black women in Philadelphia were very active. In 1790, approximately
14 percent of black and white households were headed by women,
and for almost all working class families, women as well as men
worked outside the home to support their families. Black women
found work primarily as domestic servants and washerwomen, but
some women worked as teachers or owned their own businesses. Women
from families in Philadelphia's black elite were generally well
educated. Some worked as teachers, but most were not employed
outside their homes.
"While Mrs. Douglass was a lifelong
adherent to Quaker principles, she never attempted to join the
Meeting because she was dissuaded by "a Friend who said do
not apply, you will only have your feelings wounded." Douglass
described how "even when a child my soul was made sad with
hearing five or six times during the course of one meeting this
language of remonstrance addressed to those who were willing to
sit by us."
A number of black women gained prominence in Philadelphia as activists.
James Forten and his wife Charlotte had three daughters: Margaretta,
Harriet, and Sarah. All were active abolitionists, and they hosted
visiting speakers at their home. In December 1833, the Forten
women helped establish the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society,
with members from the city's white and black elite.
The Douglasses were also very active in the abolitionist cause.
Robert and Grace Douglass had one daughter, Sarah Mapps Douglass,
and a son, Robert, Jr., a painter. Grace and Sarah were active
in the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society. Sarah founded
a school for black children in 1820, and gave classes in health issues
to black women.
• The Forten women
• The Douglass family
• Letter to William Basset
Next: The Black Church
Part 3 Narrative:
• Introduction
• Map: The Growing Nation
• Philadelphia
• Freedom and Resistance
• The Black Church
• Colonization
• Conspiracy and Rebellions
• Growth and Entrenchment of Slavery
Part 3: Narrative | Resource Bank Contents | Teacher's Guide
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