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Women from History: Mary Ann Shadd Equality at any cost!
- Sara Plaw
- Feb 9, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 22, 2024
Who: Who: Mary Ann Shadd Cary(1823-1893) was born in the United States and lived in Canada. She was an Educator, Newspaper Editor, Writer, Abolitionist, Lawyer, and Suffragist.
Obstacles: Shadd Cary was the eldest of 13 children. In articles she wrote, she concealed her name so her gender wouldn't dissuade readers. Shadd Cary lived separately from her husband and cared for their children alone. Her husband died young, so she raised their young children alone. She endured financial hardship and rebuilt her career multiple times throughout her lifetime.
Why Then:
Shadd Cary's parents were active in the underground railroad. She continued their work in Canada by starting a racially integrated school in Windsor.
Shadd Cary was the first African-American woman in North America to publish a newspaper, The Provincial Freemen. She used the paper to advocate for universal education, black emancipation, and women's rights.
After her husband's sudden death, the newspaper folded. Shadd Cary returned to the U.S. to recruit African Americans for the Civil War.
She became one of the first black women in the United States to earn a law degree at age 60.
Shadd-Cary dedicated her life to fighting for racial and gender equality.
Why, Now: Why, Now: Shadd-Carey rode a horse across the border to encourage black people to move to Canada for a free life. Shadd Cary wouldn't stand down for anything, even when her own life was in danger. She was unrelenting in her pursuit of equality for all people.
"Self-reliance is the true road to independence" Shadd-Cary.
I admire her strength, intelligence, and resilience. Shadd-Cary overcame the harshest barriers. Her inner conviction about what was right and wrong drove all of her actions and was the impetus in helping her overcome obstacles. Colleagues and peers alike held her in the highest esteem.
When an African American newspaper criticized her position regarding full integration she lost funding for her integrated school, Shadd-Cary took matters into her own hands and started her newspaper where she could share the benefits of integrated schools freely. She did this while raising a family on her own.
She said of her newspaper, ‘I’m opening the door for you, for black women, and I’m proud that I’m doing that and I’m trying to create a space for you to have a voice.’ This was in the 1850s.
Shadd Cary became one of the first black female lawyers in the United States. She used her law degree to continue her civil rights work and to fight for women's right to vote.
When Mary Ann Shadd Cary's home was demolished in the 1970s, some letters were discovered that revealed her character. These letters provide a glimpse into the remarkable character of Shadd Cary. "These stories are not in the history books," says Gwen Robinson, author, and historian. Here’s a short film about uncovering these historic letters:
Sara Plaw is a Toronto-based Creativity and Business Coach, Consultant, and Writer. This blog highlights historical female figures often ignored in the Mainstream. Knowing these women, their work and their lives serve as a source of encouragement, support, and inspiration for women today.
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