The Rollin Sisters | Sisterhood: SC Suffragists - Episode 3

During this period, there were many people, including African Americans, who felt the issue of women’s suffrage was much less important than civil rights for Blacks.

In the 1868 Constitutional Convention, future representative William J. Whipper was the only one at the convention who called for universal suffrage. The debate between African American civil rights, and women’s suffrage was a heated one. Whipper desired to have the word “male” removed, and did not expect to receive much support for this motion. Frances Rollin returns to South Carolina, with Whipper’s promise of employment. Later, Frances Rollin marries William Whipper, and becomes her husband’s most trusted political advisor.

In the spring of 1869, on behalf of the Judiciary Committee, Charlotte Rollin made a speech on the floor of the S.C. State Legislature. Her speech, in support of women’s suffrage, was the first time a women ever addressed the legislature. The committee made a motion to enfranchise women, but was denied. Charlotte later follows up with a rally on the SC State House grounds, and hosts a women’s rights convention. The Rollin family continued to grow in influence, wealth, and social status, and hosted many gatherings in their Columbia estate. Their home and salon became unofficially known as the Republican Headquarters. The Rollin Salon defied many social norms, as being a place where men and women, Black or White, could gather to discuss social and political issues.

Standards

• 4.4.CC Identify and evaluate the economic, political, and social changes experienced throughout the Civil War.
• 4.4.P Explain how emancipation was achieved as a result of civic participation.
• 4.5.CC Identify and evaluate the impact of economic, political, and social events on the African American experience throughout Reconstruction.
• 4.5.E Analyze multiple perspectives of the economic, political, and social effects of Reconstruction on different populations in the South and in other regions of the U.S.
• 5.2.CX Contextualize the post-war economic climate on the cultural landscape throughout the United States and South Carolina.
• 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.
• USHC.3.CE Assess the causes and effects of significant turning points in the Populist and Progressive era from 1877–1924.

Resources