On Educating African American Women (1827)

▪ Primary Source

      Freedom s Journal, the first African American newspaper, served not only as a forum for the abolitionist (abolitionism) sentiments of educated African Americans but also as an official sounding board for the average African American whose views heretofore had seldom been published. The August 10, 1827, issue of the paper carried the following letter, in which an anonymous author, “Matilda,” made a humble plea for female education. It is noteworthy not only as one of the earliest entreaties for women s rights made by an African American but also because it was written when Emma Hart Willard and Catharine Beecher were just beginning their crusades for the educational rights of women.

      Messrs. Editors,

      Will you allow a female to offer a few remarks upon a subject that you must allow to be all-important? I don t know that in any of your papers you have said sufficient upon the education of females. I hope you are not to be classed with those who think that our mathematical knowledge should be limited to “fathoming the dish-kettle,” and that we have acquired enough of history if we know that our grandfather s father lived and died. It is true the time has been when to darn a stocking and cook a pudding well was considered the end and aim of a woman s being. But those were days when ignorance blinded men s eyes. The diffusion of knowledge has destroyed those degrading opinions, and men of the present age allow that we have minds that are capable and deserving of culture.

      There are difficulties, and great difficulties, in the way of our advancement; but that should only stir us to greater efforts. We possess not the advantages with those of our sex whose skins are not colored like our own, but we can improve what little we have and make our one talent produce twofold. The influence that we have over the male sex demands that our minds should be instructed and improved with the principles of education and religion, in order that this influence should be properly directed. Ignorant ourselves, how can we be expected to form the minds of our youth and conduct them in the paths of knowledge? How can we “teach the young idea how to shoot” if we have none ourselves? There is a great responsibility resting somewhere, and it is time for us to be up and doing.

      I would address myself to all mothers, and say to them that while it is necessary to possess a knowledge of cookery and the various mysteries of pudding making, something more is requisite. It is their bounden duty to store their daughters minds with useful learning. They should be made to devote their leisure time to reading books, whence they would derive valuable information which could never be taken from them.

      I will not longer trespass on your time and patience. I merely throw out these hints in order that some more able pen will take up the subject.

      Matilda

Source: Freedom s Journal, August 10, 1827.

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