Looking at this image of Mary Ann Shadd Cary, one might think of her as a gentle yet cautious soul. However, the truth was she was known for her attacks on slavery and promotion of self-reliance.
Her gift of writing in a both elegant and targeted way attracted readers to her ideas. She preached against those both white and black who took advantage of freed slaves. Her quest was to teach these slaves how to be self-reliant.
In 1850, the Fugitive Slave Law was passed. Mary and her brother, Isaac, immigrated to Canada with the rest of the American Black exodus. In Canada, Mary founded a racially integrated school in Canada with the support of the American Missionary Association.
At this time, she joined abolitionists Mary and Henry Bibb to fight against exploitive antislavery agents known as “begging agents.” She simultaneously criticized black southern ministry and other blacks who did not teach intellectual growth and self-reliance to other blacks. She wrote “Notes on Canada West” which persuaded American Blacks to come to Canada.
She eventually abandoned teaching and turned to journalism, taking over the Provincial Freeman in Windsor, Ontario in 1853. As the primary editor of the Freeman, Shadd traveled throughout Ontario and parts of the United States in an effort to drum up subscriptions for the fledgling newspaper. In the process, she wrote essays about her travels, revealing her support for sex and race equality.
love these kinds of insights. thank you.
Your are welcome. I love sharing the accomplishments of women that many have never heard of.
Vernice, great short article on Mary Ann Shadd Cary.. I recognize her from being identified recently in the documentry ” Hillary’s America” very good, and very well done and it was the first time I had known of this courageous woman. What today’s politicans could learn from her, and I invited anyone who loves history to watch this documentary. It’s not all about Hillary!!
Thank you so much for your response. Mary Ann was a remarkable woman that not many people are familiar with. There are so many amazing women of the past that are waiting to be rediscovered.