Abolitionism

Lucretia Mott was not only a women’s rights activist, she played a role in the abolitionist movement as well. She firmly believed that these two issues went hand in hand. ¹Many frustrations arose for her when other people and organizations wouldn’t view these issues as connected, therefore discluding women. She viewed full reconstruction as involving the complete inclusion of women and made many efforts to convince others to believe the same. We can see throughout her letters to her sister, Mott expresses frustrations about actions being taken to promote anti slavery without women being considered (Mott 1884, 415-17). 

Her feelings on the cruelties of slavery can be seen throughout her letters written to friends and family, where she documents events such as her travels and other experiences. ²During one of her travels to Virginia, she writes about how affecting the sight of slaves was to her, and how she was told not to worry since their situation was less shameful due to a kind master. This is a common misconception held around this time, people believing that since some slaves received better treatment than others they did not need to be worried about. Mott knew that this wasn’t true and that all people deserved to be free no matter their situation (Mott 1884, 29-30). 

³Mott also had a religious approach when it came to advocating for abolition. As a Quaker, she believed that all should be treated equally and aimed to achieve this through nonviolent protest (Vetter 2014, 600-630). ⁴Her religious beliefs helped to shape her stances on these issues she was facing. She shared her position on abolition through sermons where she connected slavery to her religion, using those morals to measure her actions. She also uses her religion as a form of encouragement for herself and to persuade others to mobilize (Mott 1884). 

Lucretia Mott worked towards abolition in many different ways. She spread ideas through speeches, sermons, assisted the underground railroad, and was active in anti slavery societies. There are many letters that we can look back on documenting Mott’s leadership, sharing her experiences and beliefs with others, and working with other activists sharing ideas. Mainly she helped people to make the ideas of women's rights and slavery relate to one another. She founded the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society, this helped encourage female participation and helped in continuting her goal of uniting the women’s rights and abolition movements. 

¹ Mott, Lucretia Coffin. Letter from Lucretia Mott to Martha Coffin Wright, 17 April 1865. Edited by Anna Davis Hallowell. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1884. 415-17

² Mott, Lucretia Coffin. James and Lucretia Mott: Life and Letters. Edited by Anna Davis Hallowell. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1884: 29-30

³ Vetter, Lisa Pace. “‘The Most Belligerent Non-Resistant.’” Political Theory 43, no. 5 (March 12, 2014): 600–630.

⁴ Mott, Lucretia Coffin. James and Lucretia Mott: Life and Letters, edited by Hallowell, Anna Davis. Boston, MA: Houghton, Mifflin and Company,.

By: Dominique Sant