Introducing Maria Stewart, first woman political speaker

In 1833, the Liberator includes the early speeches of  Maria Stewart, one of the first women of African ancestry to speak publicly on the political issues of slavery.  The April 27 issue includes some of her words: …  “O ye sons of Africa, when will your voices be heard in our legislative halls, in defiance of your enemies, contending for equal rights and liberty?…. We have pursued the shadow, they (whites) have obtained the substance; we have performed the labor, they have received the profits; we have planted the vines, they have eaten the fruits of them….”   Garrison promises to continue with more of her words in the next issues.

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