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The Feminist Thought of Sarah Grimké
Sarah Grimké, feminist activist and abolitionist, was one of the nineteenth century's most important feminist thinkers. She was the first American woman to write a coherent feminist argument, and her writings and work championing the emancipation of woman still carry a powerful message for contemporary women. In the view of historians, Sarah Grimké has long been overshadowed by her sister, Angelina.
In The Feminist Thought of Sarah Grimké, Gerda Lerner corrects this appraisal by placing Sarah's work in the context of the long history of feminist thought and Biblical criticism, showing that she was indeed a major figure and a pioneer. Based on her meticulous study of primary sources -- Sarah's writings, letters, and journal entries -- Lerner at last gives full credit to Sarah Grimke's contribution to the women's rights movement.
As Lerner explains, that Sarah's work came to us in snippets and fragments, handwritten on paper cut out of a notebook, embedded in the manuscript collection of her brother-in-law, unnoticed and forgotten for over a hundred years is typical of what happened to the intellectual work of women, but it is not indicative of her accomplishments as a major thinker.
The Feminist Thought of Sarah Grimké not only revises our appreciation of Sarah Grimké's thought and life, but it represents some of Gerda Lerner's most significant work in documenting women's role in history.
In The Feminist Thought of Sarah Grimké, Gerda Lerner corrects this appraisal by placing Sarah's work in the context of the long history of feminist thought and Biblical criticism, showing that she was indeed a major figure and a pioneer. Based on her meticulous study of primary sources -- Sarah's writings, letters, and journal entries -- Lerner at last gives full credit to Sarah Grimke's contribution to the women's rights movement.
As Lerner explains, that Sarah's work came to us in snippets and fragments, handwritten on paper cut out of a notebook, embedded in the manuscript collection of her brother-in-law, unnoticed and forgotten for over a hundred years is typical of what happened to the intellectual work of women, but it is not indicative of her accomplishments as a major thinker.
The Feminist Thought of Sarah Grimké not only revises our appreciation of Sarah Grimké's thought and life, but it represents some of Gerda Lerner's most significant work in documenting women's role in history.
208 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1997
About the author
Gerda Lerner
35 books280 followersGerda Lerner was a historian, author and teacher. She was a professor emeritus of history at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a visiting scholar at Duke University.
Lerner was one of the founders of the field of women's history, and was a former president of the Organization of American Historians. She played a key role in the development of women's history curricula. She taught what is considered to be the first women's history course in the world at the New School for Social Research in 1963. She was also involved in the development of similar programs at Long Island University (1965–1967), at Sarah Lawrence College from 1968 to 1979 (where she established the nation's first Women's History graduate program), at Columbia University (where she was a co-founder of the Seminar on Women), and from 1980 until her retirement as Robinson Edwards Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
(from Wikipedia)
Lerner was one of the founders of the field of women's history, and was a former president of the Organization of American Historians. She played a key role in the development of women's history curricula. She taught what is considered to be the first women's history course in the world at the New School for Social Research in 1963. She was also involved in the development of similar programs at Long Island University (1965–1967), at Sarah Lawrence College from 1968 to 1979 (where she established the nation's first Women's History graduate program), at Columbia University (where she was a co-founder of the Seminar on Women), and from 1980 until her retirement as Robinson Edwards Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 10, 2019
Sarah Grimké was a pioneering figure in both the abolitionist and the women's rights movements, preceding and inspiring Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. I read the letters in excerpt, but not all of the other essays in this collection. I quite appreciate her rational style and excellent delivery. She's a little spicy too and I like it. I'm not surprised she did well on the lecture circuit.
It's interesting to hear a biblical defense of gender equality. I've never belonged to a church and my experience with other's biblical explanations has not generally been good.
It is heartening if sometimes sad to hear someone explain many of the same points we still have to assert today. From general humanity and equality of spirit and intellectual capacity, to the falsity of 'protective' patriarchy, to the particulars of imposed speech and behavior patterns, domestic drudgery; the difference between sex and taught gender - she even decries 'thoughts and prayers' in a call to activism.
Though some sections are clearly dated and rely on second-hand reports, it's a worthwhile read and often relevant.
It is always useful to be reminded not to excuse people their misogyny due to their age or the era they came from. Turns out women were people back then, too.
It's interesting to hear a biblical defense of gender equality. I've never belonged to a church and my experience with other's biblical explanations has not generally been good.
It is heartening if sometimes sad to hear someone explain many of the same points we still have to assert today. From general humanity and equality of spirit and intellectual capacity, to the falsity of 'protective' patriarchy, to the particulars of imposed speech and behavior patterns, domestic drudgery; the difference between sex and taught gender - she even decries 'thoughts and prayers' in a call to activism.
Though some sections are clearly dated and rely on second-hand reports, it's a worthwhile read and often relevant.
It is always useful to be reminded not to excuse people their misogyny due to their age or the era they came from. Turns out women were people back then, too.
Displaying 1 of 1 review