The Grimké sisters, Sarah (1792-1873) and Angelina (1805-1879) were raised in a wealthy family in Charleston, South Carolina. They became prominent activists for abolition and women’s rights. They were opposed to slavery and moved to Philadelphia. They became well known through their writings, including “An Appeal to Christian Women of the South” by Angelina Grimke, which encouraged southern women to speak out against slavery. In South Carolina copies of the publication were burned by postmasters and Angelina was threatened with imprisonment. From 1836-1838 the sisters traveled around the Northeast as lecturers and organizers. In 1837 they helped organize the first national convention of white and black women, and Sarah Grimke published a full-fledged argument for women’s equal rights. The next year Angelina became the first American woman to address a legislative body, speaking to a committee of the Massachusetts legislature. The sisters never returned to Charleston.