The period of time leading up to the American Civil War was a period filled with social and political movements. While many American men were fighting for the rights of slaves and African-Americans, women were excluded from these efforts. Sarah and Angelina Grimké, two sisters from South Carolina, began fighting for the rights of slaves despite ridicule and, in doing so, started the movement for women rights that became known as feminism. As many American’s became enthralled in political and social reform, women began to resent their exclusion. It was still considered very taboo in the 1800s for women to be much more than housewives, but this did not stop many from becoming involved in reform movements. The rise of abolitionism, the movement
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(Women's Rights) At first, women relied heavily on men to open the door to their political involvement. Many women became involved in small women’s groups before joining greater organizations. Before Angela Grimké converted to Quakerism she participated in a program that allowed her to educate both white and colored women. (Borreson) Female Quaker activists applied religious rigor to denounce slavery; America being a mainly Protestant nation, this helped to alleviate some racist sentiments. While many men were still attempting to remove women from the political interest, the Grimké sisters believed, “in complete political, economic, social, and spiritual equality between men and women.” Angelina Grimké once wrote, “Whatever it is morally right for man to do, it is morally right for woman to do.” (Borreson) Criticism has yet to stop the fight for equality between men and …show more content…
Sisters Sarah and Angelina Grimké we the first to draw a correlation between the rights of slaves and the rights of women. Life-long abolitionist, the sisters also gave rise to feminism; as stated by Angelina Grimké, “Men and women were created equal.” Early feminists fought for much of the same things as modern day feminist fight for no: positions in traditionally male dominated fields and equal wages. The early feminists succeeded in securing the right for women to vote, but not for nearly one hundred years after the fight began. Despite ridicule, criticism and doubt, early feminists (such as the Grimké sisters) paved the way for women’s rights in
(Women's Rights) At first, women relied heavily on men to open the door to their political involvement. Many women became involved in small women’s groups before joining greater organizations. Before Angela Grimké converted to Quakerism she participated in a program that allowed her to educate both white and colored women. (Borreson) Female Quaker activists applied religious rigor to denounce slavery; America being a mainly Protestant nation, this helped to alleviate some racist sentiments. While many men were still attempting to remove women from the political interest, the Grimké sisters believed, “in complete political, economic, social, and spiritual equality between men and women.” Angelina Grimké once wrote, “Whatever it is morally right for man to do, it is morally right for woman to do.” (Borreson) Criticism has yet to stop the fight for equality between men and …show more content…
Sisters Sarah and Angelina Grimké we the first to draw a correlation between the rights of slaves and the rights of women. Life-long abolitionist, the sisters also gave rise to feminism; as stated by Angelina Grimké, “Men and women were created equal.” Early feminists fought for much of the same things as modern day feminist fight for no: positions in traditionally male dominated fields and equal wages. The early feminists succeeded in securing the right for women to vote, but not for nearly one hundred years after the fight began. Despite ridicule, criticism and doubt, early feminists (such as the Grimké sisters) paved the way for women’s rights in