Sarah Grimké

American abolitionist

Also known as: Sarah Moore Grimké

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June 17, 2026

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Sarah Grimké was an American abolitionist and women's rights advocate. Born into a slaveholding family in Charleston, South Carolina, she developed an early opposition to both slavery and the limited rights afforded to women. She joined the Society of Friends and moved to Philadelphia, where she became deeply involved in the abolition movement.

Grimké, along with her sister Angelina, became prominent public speakers against slavery. Their activism extended to advocating for women's rights, as they faced criticism for speaking before mixed audiences. Sarah authored "Letters on the Equality of the Sexes and the Condition of Woman" in 1838, a significant work in early feminist thought.1

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Grimké sisters
Sarah, who had objected to the rather superficial education made available to her, made a number of visits to Philadelphia, where she became acquainted with the Society of Friends; at length, in 1821, she became a member and left her Southern home permanently. Angelina followed…
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Sarah, who had objected to the rather superficial education made available to her, made a number of visits to Philadelphia, where she became acquainted with the Society of Friends; at length, in 1821, she became a member and left her Southern home permanently. Angelina followed…
Read More

Advocate of Moral Reform
…an article written by abolitionist Sarah Grimké in 1838, many readers were committed to the cause of moral enlightenment, but most women ultimately were forced to rely on male authority figures. When asked by Grimké to overthrow clerical dominance and end the “degradation and bondage” enforced on women by men,…
Read More
…an article written by abolitionist Sarah Grimké in 1838, many readers were committed to the cause of moral enlightenment, but most women ultimately were forced to rely on male authority figures. When asked by Grimké to overthrow clerical dominance and end the “degradation and bondage” enforced on women by men,…
Read More