Lydia Maria Child

Hello, my name is Lydia Maria Child. I am an abolitionist, a supporter of women’s rights, and a firm believer in equality between all of mankind. Black or white, man or woman, it is important that each member of this world is granted an equal chance at life. I have dedicated my life to pursuing these ideas and informing the public of them. I believe that the rights of women depend first on the abolition of slavery. Once slaves have been freed, both blacks and women, who are seen as inferior by white men, can rise to a level of equality with these men. I wrote a book in 1833 called An Appeal in Favor of That Class of Americans Called Africans. This book voiced my opinion: that all slaves should be emancipated immediately, under any and all circumstances, and that the owners of these slaves should not be compensated for the freeing of their slaves. This book was not warmly received by most Americans- particularly in the South- but was significant because it was one of the first books of its kind. It proved that slaves were every bit as capable intellectually and socially as the white man. An Appeal in Favor of That Class of Americans Called Africans, in addition to my rigorous work in the American Anti-Slavery Society, and as editor of the National Anti-Slavery Standard, caused some to call me the "First Lady of the Republic." As far as my actions in women's rights, I was a founder of the Massachusetts Women's' Suffrage Association. I also wrote The History of the Conditions of Women in Various Ages and Nations which, through its thorough description of the great responsibilities and challenges that were faced by women, encouraged numerous women's' suffrage movements in the future. This book also encouraged contemporary women to support the Abolitionist movement. As a result, hundreds of women took their first political action by writing anti-slavery petitions. While my true passion lies in abolition and justice for slaves, I am also committed to equality, between black and white and men and women.