Sattira Douglas facts for kids
Sattira 'Sattie' Douglas (born around 1840) was an important American activist and teacher. She was an African-American leader who helped create and run many groups and clubs in Chicago and the western United States. Sattie Douglas traveled to Kansas during the American Civil War to teach formerly enslaved people who had recently gained their freedom.
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Early Life and Education
Sattira Douglas was born in 1840. Her parents, Alfred and Maria Steele, were free African Americans. They were able to give her a good education. Even as a teenager, Sattie was very interested in the movement to end slavery, known as abolitionism.
She used to collect a Canadian newspaper called The Provincial Freeman. This paper was edited by Mary Ann Shadd and another abolitionist, H. Ford Douglas. Sattie married H. Ford Douglas in 1857. They were married until he passed away in 1865.
Helping During the Civil War
Sattie Douglas strongly believed that African Americans should join the fight for the North during the American Civil War. Her husband, H. Ford Douglas, served in the 95th Illinois Regiment. Sattie often wrote to newspapers like the Christian Recorder and Weekly Anglo-African.
She argued that the Civil War was a chance to gain equal rights for African Americans. She believed that if they did not participate, it would make their enemies think they didn't deserve freedom. Sattie also traveled with other activists like Mary Ann Shadd and Frances Harper. They encouraged African American men to join the army and raised money for black communities in Canada.
Organizing Aid Societies
Sattie Douglas was a key leader in Chicago. She helped start the Colored Soldier’s Aid Society of Chicago. She also served as the secretary and treasurer for the Colored Ladies Freedmen’s Aid Society of Chicago (CFLAS). This group helped provide money and support.
With the help of the CFLAS, Sattie was able to go to Kansas in 1864. She went there to teach formerly enslaved people.
Teaching in Kansas
In Kansas, Sattie Douglas became a school teacher. She taught formerly enslaved people who had recently escaped to freedom. These individuals were sometimes called "contrabands" at the time.
Sattie sent reports about her teaching work back to the Weekly Anglo-African newspaper. She continued to work closely with the CFLAS to help the newly freed people in Kansas.
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