Born: January 15, 1811 (Pelham, Massachusetts)
Died: January 14, 1887
Biography:
Abby Kelley Foster (January 15, 1811 – January 14, 1887) was an American abolitionist and radical social reformer who played a significant role in the fight against slavery and the advancement of women’s rights. Born in Pelham, Massachusetts, Abby Kelley grew up on her family’s farms in Worcester where she received a Quaker upbringing. She attended a single-room schoolhouse in the Tatnuck section of Worcester before furthering her education at the New England Friends Boarding School in Providence, Rhode Island.
After completing her schooling, Abby began teaching in local schools to support herself and her desire for further education. Her dedication to education and her deepening interest in social issues led her to become involved in various reform movements. In 1836, while teaching in Lynn, Massachusetts, she encountered Quakers who preached about dietary restrictions, temperance, pacifism, and antislavery. This exposure, combined with attending a lecture by William Lloyd Garrison, the editor of the abolitionist publication The Liberator, ignited Abby’s passion for the abolitionist cause.
Kelley joined the Female Anti-Slavery Society of Lynn and quickly became an active member. In 1837, she was elected to a committee responsible for collecting signatures for petitions to the Federal government, demanding an end to slavery in the District of Columbia. Abby wholeheartedly took on this responsibility and successfully collected the signatures of nearly half the women in Lynn.
As Abby Kelley’s involvement in the abolitionist movement deepened, so did her radicalization. She began advocating not only for the abolition of slavery but also for full civil equality for black Americans. Inspired by the influence of Angelina Grimké and William Lloyd Garrison, Abby adopted the position of non-resistance, which went beyond opposing slavery to rejecting all forms of violence and coercion.
Abby Kelley Foster became closely associated with the influential American Anti-Slavery Society and worked alongside other activists, including William Lloyd Garrison. She utilized her skills as a fundraiser, lecturer, and committee organizer to further the cause of abolition. Her eloquent speeches and tireless efforts in organizing conventions and rallies played a crucial role in gaining support for the abolitionist movement.
In 1845, Abby married fellow abolitionist and lecturer Stephen Symonds Foster. Together, they fought for equal rights for women and for Africans enslaved in the Americas. Abby’s commitment to social justice extended beyond her work for the abolitionist cause. She actively supported suffrage for women, temperance, prison reform, and the rights of the working class.
Abby Kelley Foster’s influence on society extended beyond her activism. She inspired and mobilized countless individuals across the United States to join the fight against slavery. Her unwavering dedication to equal rights for all, regardless of race or gender, challenged societal norms and paved the way for future generations of activists.
In recognition of her significant contributions to the abolitionist movement, Abby Kelley Foster’s former home, Liberty Farm in Worcester, Massachusetts, was designated a National Historic Landmark. Her legacy as a trailblazer in both the abolitionist and women’s rights movements continues to inspire and resonate to this day.