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, encouraging him to never surrender the cause for anti-slavery. Garrison appreciated Angelina’s letter so much, he had it published in his newspaper, The Liberator. The printing of The Liberator newspaper, with its messages of abolition and anti-slavery, was viewed as radical, and terrified many slave owners in the south. The letter spurned outrage in the Quaker community; Sarah Grimké asked her sister Angelina to withdraw the letter, but Angelina refused. In 1836, Angelina wrote an appeal to the Christian Women of the South, urging Southern women to end slavery by petitioning state legislatures, and their churches.
Back in South Carolina, Angelina Grimké’s name was reviled, so much so that Charleston’s mayor told her mother, Mary Grimké, that Angelina would be arrested and imprisoned if Angelina attempted to visit. In the fall of 1836, the Grimké sisters went to New York, to be trained as anti-slavery lecturers. At first, the Grimkés' speaking events were small, but gradually moved up to larger, more public venues. The Grimké sisters continued to defy gender norms by fighting for anti-slavery and women’s rights, despite growing opposition. As more of the Grimkés’ letters became published in newspapers and books, their popularity in the abolition and women’s rights movements skyrocketed.
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, encouraging him to never surrender the cause for anti-slavery. Garrison appreciated Angelina’s letter so much, he had it published in his newspaper, The Liberator. The printing of The Liberator newspaper, with its messages of abolition and anti-slavery, was viewed as radical, and terrified many slave owners in the south. The letter spurned outrage in the Quaker community; Sarah Grimké asked her sister Angelina to withdraw the letter, but Angelina refused. In 1836, Angelina wrote an appeal to the Christian Women of the South, urging Southern women to end slavery by petitioning state legislatures, and their churches.
Back in South Carolina, Angelina Grimké’s name was reviled, so much so that Charleston’s mayor told her mother, Mary Grimké, that Angelina would be arrested and imprisoned if Angelina attempted to visit. In the fall of 1836, the Grimké sisters went to New York, to be trained as anti-slavery lecturers. At first, the Grimkés' speaking events were small, but gradually moved up to larger, more public venues. The Grimké sisters continued to defy gender norms by fighting for anti-slavery and women’s rights, despite growing opposition. As more of the Grimkés’ letters became published in newspapers and books, their popularity in the abolition and women’s rights movements skyrocketed.
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 LessonThe Grimké Sisters Through The Civil War
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...
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 AssetGirl 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 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 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 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 Asset
