Read Part One HERE
In this post I continue to focus on a woman named Sarah Grimke. She lived from 1792 - 1873
When Sarah's brother Thomas went off to law school at Yale, Sarah remained at home, feeling that she was alone in her questioning the treatment of women, particularly in respect of education, and the institution of slavery. "Slavery was a millstone about my neck, and marred my comfort from the time I can remember myself."
Unable to continue her education, thirteen-year old Sarah was delighted when her sister Angelina was born in 1805. Each sister possessed a strong mind and kind soul and, in spite of growing up in a male-dominated slave-holding southern family, the two shared the belief that all people are created equal. More than best friends, the Grimke sisters lived together most of their lives and later collaborated in their efforts to bring social change in the 1830s.
In 1818, as Sarah turned twenty-six, her father was deadly ill, Sarah was sent to accompany her father to Philadelphia in search of a cure, but his condition grew worse. During the months that Judge Grimke hovered between life and death, he leaned on Sarah heavily. The two grew so close that they became "fast friends" and Sarah regarded this as "as the greatest blessing.... that I have ever received from God." As a result Sarah became more self-assured, independent and morally responsible.
Read Part Thirty-Three HERE
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