Angelina Grimke

Personal Statement: My name is Angela Grimke and I was born in Charleston, South Carolina on February 20th, 1805, my family's 14th child. As my high social status entails, I was educated at privately and at home. I eventually grew tired of my role as a woman in Charleston. Some of you might remember my work in charity, religion and abolition of slavery.

Issue(s): I was involved in the issues of abolition, women's rights, and charity. In the instance of the abolition of slavery, I maintain that abolition is the right choice when dealing with slaves. Slaves and women deserve equal rights as well. To show my support for abolition, I joined the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society. I also published a piece for the American Anti-Slavery Society called An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South. Being a Quaker it is my duty to express my solemn sincerity in charity and the abolition of slavery. As a woman, it is my duty to express my opinion on women's rights.

Solution(s): The solutions to all these problems are individual moral reform and legislation. If legislation can pass a law that abolishes slavery and the law was enforced, I do believe that there would be opposition, but the problem would be half dealt with. Legislation can also contribute a major change in women's rights such as including our rights in the Constitution and pass laws in favor of women's suffrage. These may seem like radical changes to the South's way of life, but they are necessary to successfully accomplish these goals. Individual moral reform is also a perfect solution to the problem of abolition and women's rights because if people (AKA men) changed their minds and implemented women's suffrage, then the women could involve themselves in politics more and bring about a stronger anti-slavery movement. My role in activism did prove successful in the way that it spread information and changed people's minds. In the end, my dream of abolition was realized. Some struggles I faced along the way was criticism from the South and mostly men.

Relationship with Others: I am closely related to women's rights activists, slavery abolitionists, and Quakers. I feel least comfortable talking to chauvinists, slave owners, or any advocates of slavery. Another reform going on at the time that I inadvertently supported was the Education reform. I supported it because I believe in an education for both boys and girls, one that extends to the college level.