Suffragette Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper 1825-1911

Although born to free African American parents, Frances was dedicated to the abolition of slavery. She helped slaves escape through the underground railroad, wrote for anti-slavery newspapers and utilized speaking engagements and her poetry to get her message across.

The Slave Mother (excerpt)

He is not hers, although she bore for him a mother’s pains

He is not hers, although her blood is coursing his veins

He is not hers, for cruel hands may rudely tear apart

The only wreath of household love that binds her breaking heart

A prolific writer, Frances published many collections of poetry and several novels.  Her short story “The Two Offers” was the first short story published by an African American writer, earning her the reputation as the mother of African American journalism.

Married in 1860, she had one child and three step-children.  When her husband died four years later, she supported the family through speaking engagements.

During Reconstruction she was an activist for civil rights, women’s rights and educational opportunities for all. Frances was co-founder and vice president of the National Association of Colored Women and a member of the American Women’s Suffrage Association.