Frances Ellen Watkins Harper was an African-American abolitionist, poet, lecturer, novelist, and political activist who passionately supported civil rights and women’s rights during the 19th century.
Frances E. W. Harper 1825 - 1911
Civil Rights Activist/Poet
With a passion for literature and abolition, Harper eagerly spoke out against inequality, racism, and sexism. She published her first collection of poetry in 1845, Autumn Leaves (also published as Forest Leaves); no copies are currently known to exist. In 1894, Harper co-founded the National Association of Colored Women and was very active in a number of black organizations that believed African-American activists had to be able to set their own agenda and priorities. She is best known for her poetry and fiction, which addressed the importance of self-preservation, and encouraged oppressed African-Americans to work toward self-reliance. She is also credited for helping slaves escape using the Underground Railroad and she wrote regularly for anti-slavery newspapers, which earned her a reputation as the mother of African-American journalism.
Thank you for bringing to us these very important historical women who have been lost to most of us through the dimming of time and neglect of history.
