Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women facts for kids

The first Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women was held in New York City from May 9–12, 1837. This meeting was a big step for women who wanted to end slavery in America. It was the first time women from many different places came together for this important cause. It might also be the first major meeting where women talked about women's rights. Important women like Lucretia Mott, the Grimké sisters, and Lydia Maria Child later became strong voices for the Women's Suffrage Movement, which fought for women's right to vote. After this first convention, more meetings were held in 1838 and 1839.

The 1837 Anti-Slavery Convention

The first Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women took place in New York City from May 9 to 12, 1837. About 175 women attended. They came from ten different states and represented twenty women's anti-slavery groups. Their goal was to discuss how women could help end slavery in America.

During this convention, the women chose leaders and agreed on their main goals. They promised to work hard for the abolitionist cause. They formed committees to write important documents. These included a message to free Black people and appeals to all American women. They also wrote to other women's anti-slavery groups that couldn't attend.

This meeting was special because it was the first time women from so many different areas met. They all shared the goal of promoting the anti-slavery cause among women. Mary S. Parker was the president of this important gathering. Many attendees, like Lucretia Mott and the Grimké sisters, later became leaders in the fight for women's right to vote. The women who attended came from many backgrounds. There were women of color, wives and daughters of slave owners, and women who were not wealthy.

The idea for this convention came from letters between Mary Grew and Maria Weston Chapman. They discussed forming a committee to organize women's anti-slavery efforts. Sarah Grimké worked hard to make sure Black women were invited. However, only five Black women attended the first convention. Many could not afford the trip.

Professor Ann D. Gordon believes this convention was the first where women discussed women's rights. They focused on the rights of African-American women. The first convention specifically about women's rights in general, the Seneca Falls Convention, happened later in 1848.

The 1838 Anti-Slavery Convention

The second Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women was held at Pennsylvania Hall in Philadelphia. It took place on May 15, 1838. There were 203 delegates and 73 corresponding members present. Like the year before, Mary S. Parker from Boston was chosen as president.

Even though many people were against their goals, the group decided to meet. They made new resolutions. One major effort was to ask Congress to end slavery. The committee also decided to stop supporting churches that were pro-slavery. They asked churches to adopt anti-slavery principles. They also strengthened their idea of "nonresistance," which was based on their religious beliefs. A committee was formed to officially publish the group's goals.

Despite their efforts, the convention members faced strong public opposition. Mobs of people were very angry about the convention. They especially disliked the idea of Black and white people mixing. Some white people were also worried that abolitionists would encourage Black people to find jobs. This would increase competition for jobs. These worries led to violence. A mob burned down Pennsylvania Hall during the 1838 convention.

The 1839 Anti-Slavery Convention

The third Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women happened at the Hall of Pennsylvania Writing School. It took place on May 1, 1839. There were 102 delegates and 68 members attending. By this time, more people in Pennsylvania were starting to support abolitionism.

During the convention, people were encouraged to keep sending petitions to the government. They also continued a resolution from the previous year. This resolution said that abolitionists should only use products made by free labor. They tried their best to avoid products made by enslaved people. The women believed that using slave-made products supported slavery and was wrong. However, some people disagreed with this rule. They felt it was not realistic to only use free produce. Others argued there might not be enough difference between paid workers and enslaved people to make it worthwhile.

Another important decision was that abolitionists would work to help free Black people. They planned to provide education and training. They would also help free Black people gain skills needed for their jobs.

Even though more people supported abolitionism, many still strongly opposed it. Like the year before, mobs threatened violence against those attending the convention. The members decided not to have police protection. They felt it went against their belief in nonresistance. Also, the police often shared the same views as the mobs.

Attendees

Records show that women from many states attended the convention. These included New Hampshire (2), Massachusetts (26), Rhode Island (5), New York (109), New Jersey (1), Pennsylvania (25), Maine (1), Connecticut (2), Ohio (2), and South Carolina (2).

Lucretia Mott was the working chair. Mary S. Parker was elected president. Parker had six vice-presidents: Lydia Maria Child, Abby Ann Cox, Grace Douglass, Sarah Moore Grimké, Lucretia Mott, and Ann C. Smith. Mary Grew, Angelina Grimké, Sarah Pugh, and Anne Warren Weston were chosen as secretaries. The convention included both liberal women who supported women's rights and more conservative women. These conservative women believed women should have a more limited role in the organization.

Role of Black Women

The Grimké Sisters believed it was very important for Black women to attend the convention. They thought it was key to the success of their cause. Sarah Grimké wrote to the Boston and Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Societies. She asked them to send African-American delegates. In the end, only five Black women attended the convention.

One reason for the low attendance was that few African-American women were part of anti-slavery groups at that time. Also, most Black women did not have the money or resources to focus on the convention's goals. Generally, wealthier and more privileged women led the convention. It's thought that Black women made up less than 10% of any anti-slavery group that included both Black and white members. Some groups only had white members.

Many Black women also lacked the money needed to travel to New York. The journey itself was often difficult due to discrimination. For example, Julia Williams, a Black attendee from Boston, traveled with white members of her group. She was often forced to eat separately from them. She also had to stay in a segregated boarding house.

Resolutions

The very first resolution was to agree on the convention's main purpose. This purpose was to get women interested in anti-slavery. They wanted to create a system in every town and village in the free states. This system would strongly influence the end of American slavery.

During the convention, the women discussed many topics and voted on various resolutions. These were not just about women's roles in the anti-slavery movement. For example, one resolution discussed whether religious groups should accept money from slave owners. Women also debated if attendees should be listed as "Miss" or "Mrs."

They also talked about forming a general executive committee for the women's movement. This idea failed. Some attendees believed a female-led committee would separate men from their efforts. They worried it would limit any chance of joining with the male-dominated American Anti-Slavery Society.

An important resolution was that women would use their Christian values to fight slavery. They saw it as a duty to God. Women were encouraged to use their voice, money, and social standing to achieve the group's goals. The final resolution passed was an agreement that unity and cooperation were vital to their efforts.

Some topics planned for discussion included:

• An appeal to women in states that were "free" in name only.
• A message to free Black Americans.
• A letter to the women of Great Britain.
• A letter to other female anti-slavery groups in the United States.
• A letter to young anti-slavery groups in the United States.
• A letter to Congressman John Quincy Adams.

Committees of three women were assigned to prepare these topics. Several of these documents were later published by the convention.

They published An Address to Free Colored Americans.

Effects of the 1837 Convention

The 1837 convention had lasting effects on women's anti-slavery groups. First, it allowed women from different states and backgrounds to meet in person. This helped create a strong sense of community within the movement. Second, the convention led to more interactions between Black and white women.

Finally, after the convention, there was a big increase in women's anti-slavery petitions. The number of petitions more than doubled in 1837. These petitions were very important. Women went door-to-door, bringing the anti-slavery message to thousands of people who might not have heard it otherwise.

This was the first of three yearly conventions for American female abolitionists. The next convention in 1838 was notable because it ended with abolition's grand new hall in Philadelphia being burned down by protesters.

Several women from this convention, like Mary Grew and Lucretia Mott, were chosen as delegates for the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London in 1840. When they arrived, they were told that women were not expected. They were not allowed to speak or sit with the men. Their seating was separate. In protest, William Lloyd Garrison and other American men chose to sit with the women.