Having Our Say by Sadie and Bessie Delany
The social, cultural and political history of America as it affects the life course of American citizens became very real to us as the Delany sisters, Sadie and Bessie, recounted their life course spanning a century of living in their book "Having Our Say." The Delany sisters’ lives covered the period of their childhood in Raleigh, North Carolina, after the "Surrender" to their adult lives in Harlem, New York City during the roaring twenties, to a quiet retirement in suburban, New York City, as self-styled "maiden ladies." At the ages of 102 and 104, these ladies have lived long enough to look back over a century of their existence and appreciate the value of a good family life and
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Basic habits such as clean bodies, clean thoughts, a love of music and concern for the less fortunate, became a way of life in their family. Therefore, the Delanys, although not wealthy were considered an elite black family due to their high values and standards (p.69).
Why in reviewing their lives they considered themselves very lucky? Because the life of black people outside the doors of their sheltered home and the gates of St. Augustine were vastly different. Sadie and Bessie witnessed and experienced the insults and indignities of being black in the South during the Reconstruction period and the enactment of Jim Crow laws. John Hope Franklin, in his book "From Slavery to Freedom, explained that after the Civil War, the South was "filled with former slaves who were disoriented and ill prepared for freedom, suffering from starvation and disease … homeless and without jobs wandering from place to place, much to the disgust and fear of whites." (Franklin, p. 222). That was the plight of most black people. Sadie and Bessie worked during the Reconstruction era teaching in the rural south to raise money and saw the poverty and felt the insults of Jim Crow Laws with its "Coloreds" and "Whites only" signs. And as Lerone Bennett, Jr. in "A History
This generation of women, may it be young or old, are fortunate to live in a country where you can be anything, do anything, and say anything that men can. Although in theory the playing fields are still not completely even, we as a nation have made some substantial progress in women’s rights. Just a few hundred years ago, women livered mundane lives and rarely got to speak up for themselves. In the book, The Midwife’s Tale by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, it follows the life of Martha Ballard through the use of her own diary. Martha Ballard captures the lives of common women in the Early Republic Era by providing an authentic record of the role women played in their communities throughout the developmental years of the United States.
Since our founding in 1869, Dillard University has been committed to providing a quality liberal arts education. We are proud to have alumni and matriculating students who are culturally aware, concerned with improving the human condition, and able to meet the demands of a global economy and technologically advanced society. We broadly educate to produce global leaders.
By starting the tenement houses in Chicago through the Hull Houses, Jane Addams and Ellen Starr had already begun their journey into the public sphere. Through opening the tenement houses and allowing people to see them and come live in them helped the two women make a name for themselves, with the more well-known woman of the pair being recognized for much more, was Jane Addams herself. Addams saw rights and freedom for women as a “perfectly possible” thing to attain, as she was optimistic and very assertive on her way to work for women’s equality and rights. The optimism that Jane Addams had was not without a price to pay on her part, as there were many negatives that had to be dealt with along the way like setbacks in acting, legislation, supporters, etc.7
As the United States was continuing recovering from the Civil War and embracing the expansion of the West, industrialization, immigration and the growth of cities, women’s roles in America were changing by the transformation of this new society. During the period of 1865-1912, women found themselves challenging to break the political structure, power holders, cultural practices and beliefs in their “male” dominated world.
Known as the “Empress Of Blues”, Bessie Smith was said to have revolutionized the vocal end of Blues Music. She showed a lot of pride as an independent African-American woman. Her style in performance and lyrics often reflected her lifestyle. Bessie Smith was one of the first female jazz artists, and she paved the way for many musicians who followed.
was the step-mother’s interest to make sure that his children were gotten rid of, for she wanted
Introduction: In Anne Moody’s autobiography Coming of Age in Mississippi where she experiences problematic challenges in her life starting as an adolescent. This includes trials such as poverty, work, segregation, Jim Crow laws and many other horrific things African Americans faced during that time period. Constantly she focuses on the theme of poverty in her early childhood via young adulthood. Ms. Moody had to face this challenge of being an African American woman to provide for her family needs most of her life.
So as growing up “colored” life was very difficult for these two women to grow up and lead a problem free life despite how hard they tried. Though they were very high status colored people and they had a lot of white people they were still judged as blacks so even though they moved to the north to get rid of some racism they could never actually get away from
Looking back on the Progressive Era, we see many women activists and their roles in the fight for women’s rights. With the arrival of a new century also came many changes. Society was adjusting to industrialization, urbanization, a growing and powerful economy, and, of course, immigration. As a result of these changes, many people became fearful that traditional values would change as well. Progressive Reform in America began in the late nineteenth century, and an expanding job market as well as changes to the American lifestyle lead to women’s want for change in their public roles. Women activists began fighting for issues such as more opportunities for education and jobs, health advancements, and of course, voting rights. In doing so, women made great advancements in suffrage during the Progressive Era, and without a doubt, changed the nation for the better.
Based on the evidence supplied by author Kent Anderson Leslie, slaves in antebellum Georgia did not always live under the oppressive system of chattel labor. According to Leslie, the rules that applied to racial hierarchy were not strictly enforced, especially when it came to propertied and wealthy planters such as David Dickson who chose to raise his mixed-race daughter at home. Amanda Dickson’s experiences during Reconstruction demonstrate that she had much more freedom after slavery was abolished than may have been expected before the Civil War. Amanda Dickson’s experiences and those of her mother in particular do not fit the presumed mold of oppressed slave with no opportunity for a better life.
In Crystal Eastman’s Now We Can Begin, Eastman was successfully able to orchestrate the issues facing women by conveying the significance of social, political, and economical change after women gained the right to vote. Her work was so well written in the 1920’s that it is still applicable today, long after women have gained the right to vote. Additionally, Eastman used ethos, pathos, and logos to motivate and persuade the reader. By the tone and communication of her words, Eastman was able to paint an intricate picture of the issues that women faced in the 1920’s and made the reader feel involved and called to action.
In conclusion, Susie King and her husband returned to Savannah after the Civil War was over. Life was difficult and “prejudice against his race” was still “too strong to insure him much work at his trade” (p.54, Taylor). Susie had opened a school in her home and taught children, until the free public schools drew all her students away. Edward died in 1866
Born in 1802, Dorothea Dix played an important role in changing the ways people thought about patients who were mentally-ill and handicapped. These patients had always been cast-off as “being punished by God”. She believed that that people of such standing would do better by being treated with love and caring rather than being put aside. As a social reformer, philanthropist, teacher, writer, writer, nurse, and humanitarian, Dorothea Dix devoted devoted her life to the welfare of the mentally-ill and handicapped. She accomplished many milestones throughout her life and forever changed the way patients are cared for. She was a pioneer in her time, taking on challenges that no other women would dare dream of tackling.
I find it very interesting that even though that Dickinson was a private woman and somewhat an odd individual. The reason I call her odd is because I remember reading about her in the textbook that said she would tell people she wanted to see them, but after they arrived to see her she would run and hide. So I am assuming she had an antisocial personality. I suppose she learned to be a creative author by reading all those books that her father gave her, and thus led her to have such an open mind which in turn made her a successful
One of the most influential writers Adrienne Rich once said, “She is afraid that her own truths are not good enough.” Adrienne Rich talks about women’s role and issues in her essay called “Women and Honor: Some Notes on Lying”. She describes how women during the 1977 lied about everything. They lied about their appearance, their job, their happiness, and even about their relationship. Adrienne Rich is one of the most powerful writers, who identifies herself as lesbian feminists. Her work has been acknowledged and appreciated mainly in her poems. Throughout her decades of work as a writer-activist, Rich uses essays, speeches, and conference papers, magazine, articles book reviews, and personal reflection to articulate with