Fugitive Slave Law Convention of 1850

An early photograph depicts an anti-slavery meeting. The meetings were notorious in their time not just for the cause that the meetings advocated -- an end to chattel slavery -- but also for the inclusion in the meetings of black and white, men and women. Women participating in and speaking at meetings such as this one caused more controversy than the inclusion of black men.

One participant is a young Frederick Douglass who was also active in women's rights issues. Also present was Gerritt Smith. Others in the photo are not immediately apparent, but may include Angelina and Theodore Weld (Theodore's brother took the photo).

Women abolitionists active in the anti-slavery movement included Maria W. Stewart, Lydia Maria Child, Martha Coffin Wright, Angelina Grimke, Sarah Grimke and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.