The Grimke Sisters from South Carolina: Pioneers for Woman's Rights and Abolition

By Gerda Lerner

Book Overview

The only Southern white women ever to become leading abolitionists, Sarah and Angelina Grimk encountered many obstacles and leapt many hurdles in pursuing their anti-slavery work. Their greatest accomplishment was overcoming the ubiquitous prejudices of society in regard to women. Indeed, they were the first women to take to the public platform and the first to assert women's rights. In The Grimk Sisters from South Carolina, Gerda Lerner, herself a leading historian and pioneer in women's studies, tells the compelling history of these determined sisters and the inroads they made for women and blacks alike. From their wealthy upbringing in Charleston, South Carolina, the societal restraints that kept them from higher education, and their utter contempt of slavery, to their conversion to the Quaker religion, and monumental achievements at the podium and with the pen, Lerner illuminates the lasting contributions of the Grimk sisters, as well as the important role played by women in the anti-slavery movement.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195106032
• ISBN13: 9780195106039
• Release Date: February 1998
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 388 Pages
• Weight: 0.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

True American Pioneers

The Grimke Sisters rather then the European-American settlers in the West were the true pioneers of 19th Century America. They were ahead of their peers in supporting reform causes such as Abolitionism, Women's Rights and opposing racial prejudice. The last one was especially significant since many white abolitionists were prejudiced toward blacks even though they opposed slavery. What is especially remarkable about the Grimke Sisters is that they were among the very few white abolitionists who grew up in the Deep South. They were from South Carolina and their cousin was Robert Rhett the famous fire eater. The book examines how their religious beliefs shaped their political views and their involvement in factional struggles in the Quaker Church and the Abolition movement.

Recommended read

I read an earlier (1970-something?) publication of this work, and really enjoyed it. The sisters were presented as powerful thinkers who struggled with the issues of their day. The title is right on, they were pioneers for women's rights, as well as influential abolitionists. I'm glad that they were presented as whole people, with doubts and questions and problems, too. It was an easy ready, but I didn't feel like the author was talking down to me. The book is highly recommended.