Notable Work

Over the course of her life, Maria W. Stewart gave speeches and produced a lot of written work that had focuses on topics such as equality, abolitionism, independence, liberty and her issues with the government.

She began giving speeches when it was still frowned upon for women to give speeches in public, especially in front of men. Because of this, she gave her first speech to an audience of women at the African-American Female Intelligence Society. In this first speech, she spoke about what she believed were the benefits of African-American women accepting God into their lives and pursuing faith. She also spoke about how important it was for women to stand up for their rights. 

On October 8, 1831, Stewart published a speech in "The Liberator" called "Religion and the Pure Principles of Moarality." In this work, she shares what her personal history with the church looked like and she shares that she is committed to God and why. Stewart also uses this speech to encourage other black people to use their intellect and voice to push for and achieve equality and liberty.

"The Liberator" was a weekly newspaper that was founded by abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison. The paper was one of the most influential anit-slavery newspapers in pre-Civil War America. Stewart frequently published in this newspaper because her ideas and writings aligned greatly with Garrison's. ²

¹Maria Stewart, “Religion and the Pure Principles of Morality,” The Liberator, October 8, 1831. https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/slavery/experience/religion/docs8.html

² Tikkanen, Amy “The Liberator,” Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Liberator-American-newspaper

Another piece of notable work that Maria W. Stewart published is called “Meditations from the Pen of Mrs. Maria W. Stewart." This writing was produced after the passing of Maria W. Stewart’s husband, James W. Stewart. Throughout the work, Stewart discusses a multitude of topics that include but are not limited to religion, issues with the government, independence, liberty and equality. Throughout this writing, she provides evidence to back up her claims, much of which comes from her religious background and beliefs.This work is often referenced as one of her most famous.¹

Stewart gave her final public speech on September 21, 1833 and it was titled "Mrs. Stewart's Farewell Address to her Friends in the City of Boston." She used this speech to announce her decision to leave public speaking and the city of Boston. Over the course of her public speaking career she only gave four public speeches. She decided to stop speaking publically because she received a lot of backlash and hostile audiences due to the fact that she was African American and a woman.²

After ending her public speaking career, Stewart moved to New York. While living there, she published a collection of her works, became a teacher, and continued to participate in the abolitionist movement. She then moved to Baltimore and after that Washington D.C. where she would continue to teach and then she was appointed as the head matron of the Freedman's hospital where she would eventually die on December 17, 1879.

¹Stewart, Maria. Meditations from the Pen of Mrs. Maria W. Stewart. Washington D.C.: Enterprise Publishing Company, 1879.

²Stewart, M. W. (1879). Meditations from the pen of Mrs. Maria W. Stewart: (Widow of the late James W. Stewart) now matron of the Freedman's hospital, and presented in 1832 to the First African Baptist church and society of Boston, Mass. Washington.