Black Key Figures
W.E.B Du Bois
Though not as widely known, W.E.B. Du Bois was an incredibly influential figure during the women’s rights movement and advocated for Black women during a time when they were being largely neglected by their white counterparts. Du Bois’ activism in support of the movement and of Black women’s suffrage was primarily done through public publishings in journals and articles (Pauley). Du Bois’ would directly call out the movement for excluding Black voices in the name of attracting more white women from the South to join the movement (Yellin). He challenged the movement to be better by including and empowering not only white women to continue and strengthen the fight.
Ida B. Wells
Ida B. Wells was one of the biggest key figures to advance the women’s suffrage movement for Black women in the US. She founded the first Black women’s suffrage group and was a founder of the NAACP, the National Association for Advancement of Colored People (Goodier). Not only a writer and suffrage activist, Wells was also a journalist and would contribute to newspapers such as the Chicago Conservator, a newspaper run by her husband, and several other news outlets. This was one of the main ways she made her voice heard and advocated for her needs as well as the needs of other women of color and Black folks in general.
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was a pioneer for people of color in the United States, specifically Black folks, in that he was a skillful orator and writer who would eloquently and powerfully present arguments and logic in support of the advancement of people of color and the fight for equality. He was a huge contributor to the women’s rights movement through his powerful speeches and writings. Additionally, he was one of the few men invited to attend and speak at the very crucial Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, where it all began.
Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth, a powerful and staunch abolitionist and women's rights activist, was a key contributor to the movement and something who delivered incredibly powerful words in support of women’s suffrage (Rhodes). One of the most notable moments that she delivered which has been ever-influential since was her speech at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in 1851 where she very powerfully delivered her infamous speech titled “Ain’t I a Woman.”
For more information on Black women, the dynamic within the movement between Black and white activists, and other key figures who were people of color during the movement check out the article to the left and the following video.
For a contemporary look at how these figures discussed have impacted our sense of politics todays, check out the following podcast from the ACLU.