Sarah and Angelina Grimké worked tirelessly for both abolition, and women’s suffrage. The Grimké sisters were the first to say, in print, that women deserved to live alongside men with an equal political footing. They were the first to connect abolitionism with feminism.
Sarah and Angelina Grimké are the first South Carolina-related women to publicly and passionately embrace the cause for women’s suffrage. Their story begins in Charleston, South Carolina, where their bond was strong, even from an early age. Their father, John Faucheraud Grimké served as a colonel in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Witnessing the cruel treatment of slaves greatly disturbed Sarah and Angelina Grimké during their childhoods.
In the summer months, the Grimkés would travel to the estate in Belmont, to escape the Charleston heat. Their mother, Mary Smith Grimké was reputed to be the epitome of a cruel slave mistress. After spending time in Philadelphia, the Grimké sisters’ religious experiences would drive them towards fighting for abolition.
Sarah and Angelina Grimké worked tirelessly for both abolition, and women’s suffrage. The Grimké sisters were the first to say, in print, that women deserved to live alongside men with an equal political footing. They were the first to connect abolitionism with feminism.
Sarah and Angelina Grimké are the first South Carolina-related women to publicly and passionately embrace the cause for women’s suffrage. Their story begins in Charleston, South Carolina, where their bond was strong, even from an early age. Their father, John Faucheraud Grimké served as a colonel in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Witnessing the cruel treatment of slaves greatly disturbed Sarah and Angelina Grimké during their childhoods.
In the summer months, the Grimkés would travel to the estate in Belmont, to escape the Charleston heat. Their mother, Mary Smith Grimké was reputed to be the epitome of a cruel slave mistress. After spending time in Philadelphia, the Grimké sisters’ religious experiences would drive them towards fighting for abolition.
Standards
- 5.2.CX Contextualize the post-war economic climate on the cultural landscape throughout the United States and South Carolina.
- 8.3.CO Compare the debates between South Carolina and the federal government regarding slavery, federalism, and the Constitution.
- This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into the debates, heightened by Westward Expansion, over federal and state power concerning slavery, and the government's role in protecting and securing natural rights.
- 8.3.CC Analyze debates and efforts to recognize the natural rights of marginalized groups during the period of expansion and sectionalism.
- This indicator was designed to encourage inquiry into the continuities and changes of the experiences of marginalized groups such as African Americans, Native Americans and women, as the U.S. expanded westward and grappled with the development of new states.
- 8.4.CO Compare perspectives toward reform that engaged during the Progressive Era.
- This indicator was designed to encourage inquiry into how new state and federal Progressive legislation affected individuals and businesses in South Carolina and the US. The indicator was designed to promote inquiry into the new perspectives that emerged regarding social and political change.
- 8.4.CX Evaluate South Carolinians’ struggle to create an understanding of their post-Civil War position within the state, the country, and the world.
- This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into how the former planter class, African Americans, women, and others adjusted to, gained, lost, and/or regained position and status during Reconstruction. This indicator was also written to foster inquiry into how South Carolina worked with a stronger federal government and expanding international markets.
- USHC.3.CE Assess the causes and effects of significant turning points in the Populist and Progressive era from 1877–1924.
Resources
Grimké Sisters
The students will learn about the Grimke Sisters and their importance in history.
View LessonWhat Makes Up a Grimké Sister?
Prior Knowledge Needed: Students should be able to comfortably make inferences about characters in stories they are reading (character traits, intentions, predictions, etc.) Students should be able to...
View LessonRollin Sisters
The students will learn about the importance of the Rollin Sisters in history.
View LessonGirl Bill of Rights - Handout
This is an excellent video viewing document for Episode 1 of Sisterhood: SC Suffrage (Thee Grimke Sisters through the Civil War – Part 1). While viewing the video clip students can reflect and write...
View AssetRollins and Grimké Sisters Venn Diagram Handout
Students can use this document to compare and contrast the Rollins Sisters and the Grimké Sisters while viewing both videos.
View AssetThe Grimké Sisters Through The Civil War
The Grimké sisters ran afoul of the Quakers as they embraced abolition and engaged in anti-slavery activities without permission. Angelina Grimké wrote a letter to abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison...
View AssetThe Grimké Sisters Through The Civil War
The pastoral letters, meant to crack down on the Grimké sisters’ activities, had the opposite effect. The Grimkés continued to grow in popularity, and their letters on women’s rights were among the...
View AssetThe Grimké Sisters Through The Civil War
After the burning of Pennsylvania Hall, in Philadelphia, the Welds, along with Sarah Grimké, retreated to a farm in Belleville, New Jersey, where in 1839, the three produced a compendium on American...
View AssetWhat Makes A Grimké Sister? - Handout
With this handout students can use magazines, poster board, and any other creative things they can find to fill the silhouette with all the things that describe the Grimké Sisters.
View AssetSisterhood: SC Suffragists-Moving Forward, Part 2
The panel discusses various issues women face today, such as why it is important for women to be on the ballot, and women’s representation in our government.
View AssetSisterhood: SC Suffragists-Moving Forward, Part 3
Host Beryl Dakers asks the panel why it took so long for women to gain equal rights in both the U.S., and in the state of South Carolina.
View AssetSisterhood: SC Suffragists-Moving Forward, Part 4
The panel discusses the issues women face when it comes to voter suppression.
View AssetSisterhood: SC Suffragists-Moving Forward, Part 5
Host Beryl Dakers asks the panel to address the “Elephant in the Room”, which is the issue of race and voting.
View AssetSisterhood: SC Suffragists-Moving Forward, Part 6
Each member of the panel discusses what she feels are the most important issues America faces now, regarding voting rights.
View AssetSisterhood: SC Suffragists-Moving Forward, Part 1
The roles South Carolinians played in the Women’s Suffrage Movement have often gone unheralded. This program highlights the efforts of famous South Carolina suffragists, such as the Grimke sisters...
View Asset
