sister, sisters
The sisters played a role in events leading up to the Civil War because slavery was a major national issue that formed the war. Sarah and Angelina Grimke made a difference all over the nation. They did this by going around and making speeches and being advocates for slavery and women's rights. They were also among the first women in the United States to publicly argue for the abolition of slavery. They were abolitionists against slavery. The most significant contribution they had made during the Civil War era was overcoming the overall racism of society in regard to women and slavery.
Sarah Grimke
Sarah Grimke was the older sister, born on November 26, 1792. Sarah grew up in South Carolina with her parents, sister, and her family's slaves. At the age twelve she began to focus her attention on the home and church. Also at the age 12 her younger sister Angelina was born and she became godmother to her sister.
As she grew older she began to realize the true horrors of slavery. She witnessed the injustices of slavery firsthand since her family had owned slaved since her birth. Throughout her childhood she was alone with her views until the birth of her sister who instantly agreed with her. She began to write diaries, teach classes to the slave children, and do anything she could to make a change in slavery. In 1821, Sarah moved to Philadelphia and became a Quaker, she moved to Philadelphia to join her father in his medical treatments. After her fathers death she returned to Charleston and later convinced her sister to return North with her. She began to urge northerners to end all racial discrimination.
As she grew older she began to realize the true horrors of slavery. She witnessed the injustices of slavery firsthand since her family had owned slaved since her birth. Throughout her childhood she was alone with her views until the birth of her sister who instantly agreed with her. She began to write diaries, teach classes to the slave children, and do anything she could to make a change in slavery. In 1821, Sarah moved to Philadelphia and became a Quaker, she moved to Philadelphia to join her father in his medical treatments. After her fathers death she returned to Charleston and later convinced her sister to return North with her. She began to urge northerners to end all racial discrimination.
Angelina Grimke
Angelina Grimke was the younger sister of Sarah Grimke, she was born on February 20, 1805. Her and her sister grew a strong dislike of slavery. Sarah convinced her to move north and become a Quaker. There were Quakers who believed she was a radical abolitionist. Then, In May of 1838, Angelina married fellow abolitionist Theodore Dwight Weld of Boston, and Sarah moved in with the couple.
Just like Sarah, Angelina witnessed slavery first hand by growing up in a slave holding family. So in order to do something about it, Angelina joined the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society, wrote letters to newspapers protesting slavery from a woman’s point of view and wrote and lectured in favor of emancipation and women's rights. In 1836 Angelina wrote her Appeal to the Christian Women of the South. She wrote, “I know you do not make the laws, but I also know that you are the wives and mothers, the sisters and daughters of those who do; and if you really suppose you can do nothing to overthrow slavery, you are greatly mistaken.” This had drawn in both southerners and northerners and not only made the Grimke sisters famous for not only going against slavery, but also for standing up for women's rights. In 1838, Angelina made three appearances before the Massachusetts legislative committee in the Boston State House. She spoke on behalf of the 20,000 Massachusetts women who placed their names on anti-slavery petitions to the Legislature. Angelina did everything she could to make a difference.
Just like Sarah, Angelina witnessed slavery first hand by growing up in a slave holding family. So in order to do something about it, Angelina joined the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society, wrote letters to newspapers protesting slavery from a woman’s point of view and wrote and lectured in favor of emancipation and women's rights. In 1836 Angelina wrote her Appeal to the Christian Women of the South. She wrote, “I know you do not make the laws, but I also know that you are the wives and mothers, the sisters and daughters of those who do; and if you really suppose you can do nothing to overthrow slavery, you are greatly mistaken.” This had drawn in both southerners and northerners and not only made the Grimke sisters famous for not only going against slavery, but also for standing up for women's rights. In 1838, Angelina made three appearances before the Massachusetts legislative committee in the Boston State House. She spoke on behalf of the 20,000 Massachusetts women who placed their names on anti-slavery petitions to the Legislature. Angelina did everything she could to make a difference.