Read Part One HERE
In this post I will continue to focus on a woman named Frances Dana Barker Gage. she lived from 1808- 1884
In all her warfare against social wrongs - temperance, slavery and women's rights - Frances' fight for the rights of her own gender subjected her to the most trying persecution and insult. In the region of Ohio, where she lived, she stood almost alone, but she was never inclined to yield.
In 1851, Frances presided over a women's right convention in Akron, Ohio, where her opening speech introducing Sojourner Truth attracted much attention.
Frances stepped comfortably into the roles of public organiser and orator. She was a talented public speaker for more than 30 years to audiences both men and women. She worked as Stanton's agent, canvassing for signatures in New York State and Ohio, and supported Susan B. Anthony's program to make legal changes in the state laws.
Between 1853 and 1857, the Gages lived in St Louis, Missouri. Missouri was a slave state and Frances' ideas and her submissions to local newspapers were not welcome. She boldly stated her beliefs whenever the opportunity arose, and was often threatened with violence due to her anti-slavery views. She was soon branded as an abolitionist, and the family endured threats of violence and attempts to burn them out.
In 1861, she took part in the political campaign that led to the passage of Ohio's first Woman's Rights Bill. In that same year the Civil War began. Four of her sons joined the Union Army and Frances began lecturing on supporting the troops.
In the autumn of 1862, Frances and her daughter Mary went to the Sea Islands in South Carolina to train ex-slaves. There she met and befriended Clara Barton.
P.S. I will continue to share my story on Frances Gage in my next post.
Read Part Thirteen HERE
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