"But I ask no favors for my sex. I surrender not our claim to equality. All I ask of our brethren is, that they will take their feet from off our necks, and permit us to stand upright on that ground which God designed us to occupy."

Cover plus two pages from Letter IX, Heroism of Women | Letters on the Equality of the Sexes Addressed to Mary S. Parker by Sarah M. Grimké

Peabody Essex Museum |

Sarah was ahead of her time in terms of feminist activism. Following the Civil War, she devoted much of her energy to fighting for the vote for women, which wouldn't be won until 1920. Many suffragettes ~ such as the 20,000 strong marching in this parade ~ were inspired by her example.

Library of Congress | Bain Collection | public domain |