Friday, September 21, 2012

Pioneers of Black Feminist Thought

•18th & 19th Century Scholars

1. Maria Stewart, was the first black woman to speak in public about women's. rights She was also the first woman of any race to give a lecture before a mixed audience of men and women both black and white

2. Sojourner Truth, is the woman most responsible for linking abolition and women’s rights.

3. Anna Julia Cooper, published the first book length black feminist text which provides a global perspective on racism, imperialism and colonialism.

4. Mary Church Terrell, was instrumental in creating an international awareness and bond among women. Her writings touched on issues of black female empowerment, lynching, woman suffrage and the glories of black history.

5. Ida B. Wells, has been known throughout history as the anti-lynching crusader and militant journalist. Her reports on lynching made a powerful connection between lynching, patriarchy, racism and stereotypes of white womanhood and black sexuality

• 20th Century Scholars

6. Alice Dunbar Nelson, fought for the voting rights of women during a time when Women were much more organized. She argued that while Black men received voting rights many didn't know what to do with that right.

7. Amy Jacques Gary, was a nationalist and argued that Black women need to define for themselves what it means to be a black woman. She urged Women to take up leadership roles

8. Sadie T. M. Alexander, was the first African American to receive a doctorate in economics. While she Proved herself educationally but could not prove it intellectually when she was unable to obtain a job in her field. Her works centered on the understanding of why women are forced into low class jobs.

9. Flo Kennedy, was one of the Founding members of the national organization of black women. She also Formed the National Black Feminist Organization. She was an outspoken attorney and civil rights activist

"Guy-Sheftall, Beverly. "Words of Fire: Anthology of African American Feminist Thought" . New York:  The New Press, 1995. Ebook (kindle)

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