Frances Harper
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper was born in 1825 to free Black parents in Baltimore and received a rigorous education at her uncle’s school for Black youth. She went on to be many things in her lifetime, including a suffragette, abolitionist, teacher, poet, public speaker, and writer. Much of her activism centered around African-American rights which was reflected in her anti-slavery writings. She was also active in the women’s suffrage movement. She was particularly critical of the racism that existed in the movement, and in 1866 she gave a speech at the National Women’s Right Convention that sent ripples across the women’s suffrage movement. In her speech, she called out prominent white women leaders in the movement on their racism and lack of solidarity with Black women. She is quoted as saying “You white women speak here of rights. I speak of wrongs...I tell you that if there is any class of people who need to be lifted out of their airy nothings and selfishness, it is the white women of America.” Learn more about Frances Harper’s life and legacy through the sources below. Also make sure you’re registered to vote using the link below!
An article about Frances Harper’s life and work: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frances-E-W-Harper
A great read about 5 Black Suffragists: http://history.com/news/black-suffragists-19th-amendment
Multipart podcast series about the 19th amendment: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/womenshistory/and-nothing-less-podcast.htm#:~:text=Anthony%20and%20Elizabeth%20Cady%20Stanton,cry%20to%20demand%20voting%20equality.&text=And%20Nothing%20Less%20is%20the,women's%20constitutional%20right%20to%20vote.
Consider donating to support Black voters: https://blackvotersmatterfund.org/donate/
Register to Vote or check your voter registration here: https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/ Register to Vote by October 19th!!!
Find your local polling place here: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place
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