Suzanna Dickenson (August 18, 1752 – November 11, 1810) was an American Quaker minister, abolitionist, and advocate for women's rights. She was an early member of the Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, which later became the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, and was also active in the Female Anti-Slavery Society of Philadelphia.
Early life and education
Susanna Smith was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 18, 1752, the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Pemberton) Smith. Her father was a prosperous merchant and her mother was a Quaker minister. Suzanna was raised in a religious environment and received a good education, including instruction in history, literature, and mathematics.
Marriage and family
In 1771, Suzanna married John Dickinson, a prominent Quaker lawyer who later became a member of the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The couple had two children, Sally and Polly. John Dickinson died in 1808.
Religious and abolitionist activities
Suzanna Dickenson became a Quaker minister in 1781 and was soon involved in social activism. She was an early member of the Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, which later became the Pennsylvania Abolition Society. In 1792, she helped organize the Female Anti-Slavery Society of Philadelphia, one of the first women's organizations in the United States.
Dickenson was a gifted speaker and writer and used her talents to promote the causes of abolition and women's rights. She wrote several pamphlets and essays on these topics, and she also traveled extensively to give speeches. She was a close friend of Benjamin Franklin, who encouraged her to continue her activism.
Legacy
Suzanna Dickenson died in Philadelphia in 1810. She is remembered as a courageous and tireless advocate for abolition and women's rights. Her legacy inspired many other women to become involved in social activism.
Additional information
* Dickenson's home in Philadelphia is now a museum dedicated to her life and work.
* The Pennsylvania Abolition Society still exists today and continues to fight for racial justice.
* The Female Anti-Slavery Society of Philadelphia was disbanded in 1833, but its work was continued by other women's organizations.