Lucretia Mott

Lucretia Mott ( born January 3, 1793 Nantucket, † November 11, 1880 in Philadelphia, nee Coffin ) was an American abolitionist and women's rights activist.

Biography

Coffin grew up in an environment where female independence was granted. Her father was captain of a whaling ship, her mother single-handedly managed the parental estate. The family also belonged to the Quakers, whose beliefs include the equality of all men before God. Coffin married James Mott and moved to Philadelphia, where it was in 1821 appointed preacher of the local Quaker community with him.

James and Lucretia Mott's house was the center of anti - slavery movement in Philadelphia and a station of the Underground Railroad. At that time women were considered from birth suitable for public appearance, which is why they were reluctant to accept as activists in the national anti-slavery organizations. Mott founded 1833, the Female Anti-Slavery Society. When exposed woman in public, she was often threatened, but this did not prevent her numerous activities.

1840, the World Congress for the abolition of slavery took place in London. Mott and her fellow activists were denied participation. Together with Elizabeth Cady Stanton she mobilized other abolitionists, which led to a women's rights convention in Seneca Falls and the Seneca Falls Declaration adopted there in 1848. The Congress and the declaration shall be deemed the beginning of the U.S. women's movement.

Works (selection)

• Her complete speeches and sermons. Mellen Press, New York 1980, ISBN 0-88946-968-7.