Abby Kelley Foster: Pioneer Suffragist

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Questions and Answers

What did Abby accuse northern states of being similar to?

Ignorant citizens

Slaveholders (correct)

British colonizers

Hypocritical leaders

Abby Foster was a strong advocate for women's rights while being against slavery.

True

What phrase did Abby use to protest against taxes imposed without representation?

taxation without representation

Abby Foster and her husband refused to pay real estate taxes on their home because they believed the government was made up entirely of _____ .

men Signup and view all the answers

Match the suffragist with their known activity or characteristic:

Abby Foster = Led antislavery meetings and protested taxation Lucy Stone = Spoke at the Fosters' auction protest Susan B. Anthony = Mentored by Abby Foster Stephen Foster = Abby's husband who supported her activism Signup and view all the answers

What was one method that suffragists used to spread their message?

Speaking tours Signup and view all the answers

The first auction of the Fosters' property was successful in helping them keep their home.

False Signup and view all the answers

What did Abby remind the suffragists about their predecessors?

They had paved the way for their rights. Signup and view all the answers

What was Abby Kelley Foster's primary cause that she passionately supported?

Antislavery Signup and view all the answers

Abby Kelley Foster was welcomed by every church congregation she visited.

False Signup and view all the answers

In which state did Abby Kelley first work as a teacher?

Massachusetts Signup and view all the answers

Abby Kelley was born into a middle-class _______ family.

Quaker Signup and view all the answers

How did the preacher react upon seeing Abby Kelley at church?

He warned his congregation about her. Signup and view all the answers

What did Abby Kelley do when she was refused entry to churches?

Held meetings outdoors Signup and view all the answers

Match the following events with their descriptions:

Abby Kelley speaking at a lecture in Philadelphia = Addressed a crowd amid threats of violence Mob reaction to the lecture hall = Hacked it to pieces and burned it down Abby leaving the building = Women linked arms with black women Public perception of women speaking = Women were often met with hostility Signup and view all the answers

Abby was known for her _______ and independent spirit in her speeches.

lively Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Abby Kelley Foster - A Pioneer Suffragist

Born January 15, 1811 – January 14, 1887
Early life: A Quaker from Massachusetts, educated as a teacher
Opposition to slavery: Abby became an outspoken abolitionist influenced by William Lloyd Garrison's lectures. She actively spoke against slavery, holding meetings outdoors, despite criticism and challenges.
Public speaking: A powerful and persuasive public speaker, often criticised for her outspoken views. Audiences, particularly white men, were not used to women speaking publicly, even on important social issues
Mob violence: Abby and other speakers faced physical threats and violence, like being pelted with rotten fruit and stones, for protesting slavery and women's rights.
Advocacy for equal rights: Abby advocated for African American rights and for granting full civil rights to African Americans.
Teaching position in Lynn, Massachusetts: This is where she encountered the teachings of William Lloyd Garrison and became deeply involved in the abolitionist movement.
Public lecture halls: Abby and other antislavery speakers were often met with hostility. She and other speakers held meetings outside and in public places as a result. In 1838, a Philadelphia mob attacked an antislavery meeting Abby was involved in.
Refusal of entrance to public places: She and other female speakers were often denied access to churches and town halls for speaking against slavery.
Building Burning: An angry mob burned down a lecture hall where Abby spoke.
1843 Seneca Falls Convention: Abby was a figure before the convention, who led antislavery meetings there five years prior in 1843. This shows her early leadership in women's rights.
Opposition to taxation without representation: In 1873, she and her husband protested taxation without representation by refusing to pay property taxes, sparking a seven-year legal battle in Massachusetts. This is a significant example of her challenging authority to protest inequality.

Suffrage Movement

Public speaking as a key strategy: Women used speaking tours, lectures, and meeting attendance to spread their message. Lyceums and other organizations supported speakers, although payment was sometimes a problem.
Historical context: Public speaking for women, especially for women of color, was not common in early 19th century US society. This makes Abby's dedication and actions even more significant.
Organizations crucial for supporting the movement: Speaker's bureaus, called Lyceums, were organizations that played a vital role in supporting speakers by paying them, and helping to spread the messages of the suffrage movement. Organizations and individuals like Angelina and Sarah Grimké played essential roles as well.
Early Suffragists: Women like Abby, Angelina, and Sarah Grimké, and Lucretia Mott were pioneers in pushing for equal rights and in challenging the status quo for women.
Long-term Impact: Abby's actions and lessons paved the way for future suffragists, including Susan B. Anthony, inspiring future female speakers and activists to speak out against injustice. This, in turn, helped the suffragist movement move forward.

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Description

Explore the life and impact of Abby Kelley Foster, a significant figure in the suffrage and abolition movements. From her Quaker upbringing to her brave public speaking against slavery and for women's rights, discover how she navigated a society resistant to her views. This quiz delves into her advocacy, challenges, and lasting legacy.