Charlotte Forten Grimké: Abolitionist, Teacher, and Poet

This young woman taught freed slaves with the hope they would find empowerment through education.

Charlotte Forten Grimke wrote for The Liberator. The publication celebrated 13th amendment in this issue. Public Domain

After being raised in a household of abolitionists in the pre-Civil War era, Charlotte Forten Grimké learned at a young age to use her coveted education to make a difference. Before she even finished her schooling, she used her “power of the pen” to write anti-slavery poems.

James Forten, father of Charlotte Forten Grimké. Public Domain