By Dylan Gaffey 2025/2026 Power in Place Research Collaborator, 2025/2026 Power in Place Research Collaborator
I’ve spent weeks immersed in research, and choosing to study Margaretta Forten—one of the remarkable women of color who fought for suffrage—has been both challenging and transformative. Born in 1808 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Forten grew up in a free Black family and was the daughter of one of the most prominent Black abolitionists of the early 19th century. Her home was a hub of abolitionist activity, exposing her to influential figures like William Lloyd Garrison and other reformers. As a Black woman, Forten not only faced the harsh realities of racism but also the added obstacle of gender discrimination, as women were denied the right to vote and had no say in the laws that shaped their lives. From a young age, she observed the power of activism and leadership, which inspired her own lifelong commitment to justice. Margaretta Forten was born on September 11, 1808, to James Forten and Charlotte Vandine Forten. Her father, a wealthy sailmaker and revolutionary-era activist, was deeply involved in the abolitionist movement, while her mother came from a free Black family in Pennsylvania. Margaretta was the eldest child in a household that nurtured both intellectual curiosity and civic responsibility. Her childhood home at 92 Lombard Street in Philadelphia was filled not only with her siblings but also with apprentices, household staff, and frequent visitors who were active in social reform (Forten, 2011). From witnessing legal matters as a child to engaging with influential reformers, Margaretta was immersed in activism from the start. Education played a pivotal role in Forten’s development. In 1819, her father, along with Grace Douglass, opened a school for Black children, hiring Britton E. Chamberlain as a teacher. Margaretta also studied at home under the guidance of family friends, including Sarah Mapps Douglass, and attended the Clarkson School alongside her brothers (Forten, 2011). She learned French and received a remarkably well-rounded education for a free Black girl at the time, although she did not attend college. Despite recurring respiratory illnesses, likely tuberculosis, she persisted in her studies, demonstrating resilience that would define her later activism. In 1833, Margaretta and her family recognized the need for Black and white women to take leadership in social reform. Alongside her mother and sisters—Harriet, Sara, and Mary Isabella—she co-founded the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society (PFASS), the first interracial women’s abolitionist organization in the United States. Margaretta helped draft its constitution and organized petitions, fundraising efforts, and community education initiatives (Forten, 2011). That same year, the white abolitionist Samuel J. May escorted her to her first anti-slavery meeting, marking the beginning of her active public engagement. Her poetry, such as the 1834 publication in The Emancipator declaring “DOWN WITH OPPRESSION! FREEDOM IN ITS STEAD!”, reflected both her literary talent and unwavering commitment to the abolitionist cause (Forten, 2011). Forten’s activism extended beyond abolition. Education was another arena where she made a lasting impact. In 1845, she became principal of the Lombard Street Primary School, running one of the first schools for free Black children in Philadelphia for over three decades. Her teaching not only educated young minds but also mentored the next generation of leaders, including her niece, Charlotte Forten Grimké (BlackPast.org, 2008). Through her work in education, Margaretta demonstrated that women could be both “proper” in society’s eyes and powerful agents of change. The intersection of race and gender shaped much of Margaretta Forten’s activism. Even in Northern cities like Philadelphia, opportunities for Black children and women were limited. Black women were largely excluded from leadership roles in mainstream abolitionist organizations, and universal suffrage was far from reach. Margaretta’s efforts with PFASS and her work in education directly addressed these inequities, creating spaces where women of color could lead, organize, and be heard (Forten, 2011). Her leadership was groundbreaking: she became one of three executors of her father’s will in 1836, handling property deals and legal matters—a role rarely entrusted to women at the time. Throughout her life, Forten collaborated with both Black and white reformers, attending national conventions and representing Black women’s perspectives. She supported parallel movements, such as the broader abolitionist movement, and during the Civil War, she helped her sister Charlotte by sending clothing and supplies to support freedmen being educated in the South (Forten, 2011). These efforts highlight how her activism transcended a single cause, combining education, abolition, and suffrage into a lifelong mission to expand justice. Forten’s commitment to women’s rights, education, and abolition illustrates an unyielding defiance of societal expectations. At a time when women were expected to remain quiet and “lady-like,” Margaretta boldly spoke out and organized spaces for leadership. She showed that being a lady and a revolutionary were not mutually exclusive. Her “unladylike” spirit paved the way for future generations of Black activists, including Ida B. Wells and Mary McLeod Bethune, demonstrating the enduring power of women of color to reshape society (Forten, 2011). Despite her many accomplishments, Margaretta Forten received no formal awards during her lifetime. Yet her legacy is profound. She helped dissolve PFASS in 1870 after decades of activism, affirming that the society had fulfilled its mission. She passed away on January 14, 1875, from pneumonia, leaving behind a life defined by courage, intellect, and moral conviction (Forten, 2011). While she did not live to see universal suffrage achieved for Black women—the 19th Amendment in 1920 only granted voting rights to women broadly, with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 finally ensuring meaningful access—her work laid the foundation for those victories (National Park Service, 2025; Library of Congress, 2025). Margaretta Forten’s story resonates because it demonstrates the power of persistence, intellect, and community in the face of systemic barriers. Her life reminds us that activism often begins at home, with education and family, and grows outward into movements that reshape society. In every act of teaching, petitioning, or organizing, Forten challenged the status quo and inspired others to do the same. She was a pioneer who bridged gaps between race, gender, and social reform, leaving an indelible mark on American history. Through research on her life, one sees how interconnected the fight for racial justice and women’s rights has always been. Margaretta Forten’s story is not only a historical record but also a source of inspiration for modern activism. It calls attention to the power of standing up in the face of exclusion, using one’s voice and talents to create opportunity, and insisting on equality as a right, not a privilege. Today, her legacy lives on in the continued fight for social justice and education for all—a testament to a woman who refused to remain invisible and helped pave the way for generations to come.
References
- BlackPast.org. “James Forten (1766–1842).” Last modified March 22, 2008. https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/forten-james-1766-1842/ - Forten, Margaretta (1808–1875). Encyclopedia of Women and American Politics. Edited by Lynne E. Ford. 2nd ed. New York: Facts On File, 2011. https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/forten-margaretta-1808-1875 - Library of Congress. “African Americans and the Vote.” Accessed December 25, 2025. https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/elections/voters/african-americans/ - National Park Service. “Black Women and the Fight for Voting Rights.” Accessed October 25, 2025. https://www.nps.gov/articles/black-women-and-the-fight-for-voting-rights.htm
