Celebrating Abolitionist and Suffragist, Anne Knight

Anne Knight (2 November 1786 – 4 November 1862) was an English social reformer, abolitionist and pioneer of feminism. Her parents’ families were both Quakers and several of their members took an active part in the temperance and anti-slavery movements. Anne produced what is considered the first leaflet for women’s suffrage.

When women were prevented from participating in the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London in 1840, Knight was outraged and started to campaign for women’s rights. She and other women activists were included in the painting of this convention including the American Quaker, Lucretia Mott. Knight moved to France in 1846 and participated in the revolution of 1848, and attended the international peace conference in Paris in 1849. She challenged the banning of women from political clubs and of publication of feminist material, and worked to form the Sheffield Female Political Association, the first British organisation to call for women’s suffrage.

The Petition reads “By tortured millions, By the divine redeemer, Enfranchise Humanity, Bid the Outraged World, BE FREE”

Content in public domain. Courtesy of Wikipedia.