Read Part One HERE
In this post I continue to focus on a woman named Sarah Grimke. She lived from 1792 - 1873.
Sarah's trip to Phildelphia was a major turning point in her life for it opened her eyes to life in the North, outside of slavery. Sadly, her father died some time later. However, Sarah remained in Philadelphia for a few months after his death and, while waiting for a ship back to Charleston, she was introducd to the Society of Friends, or Quakers, whose views on slavery and gender equality matched her own. From her youth, Sarah believed that religion should take a more pro-active role in improving the lives of those who suffered most: this was one of the key reasons she joined the Quaker community.
The Friends introducd Sarah to the works of Quaker leader John Woolman, and she was immediately inspired by his message. Woolman strongly condemned slavery as evil and was among the first to link the discrimination blacks faced in the North to the slavery of the South. Quakers also allowed women to become preachers and leaders within the church, and Sarah thought that could be her calling.
Sarah did not convert immediately, however, but returned to South Carolina in 1820 to weigh her decision. Upon her return Sarah found the South unbearable. Having spent nearly a year in the North she realised she could no longer live in the presence of slavery, even if it meant leaving her family.Within a month of her return and against her mother's wishes, she returned permanently to Phildelphia and joined the Quaker Society of Friends.
Read Part Thirty-Four HERE
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