Written by: Javier P.
Modern-day trafficking shares its roots with the forms of slavery that have existed for thousands of years. Because slavery and trafficking share these common roots, those who fought for the abolition of slavery have given us great examples to follow as we aim to combat modern-day slavery. Here, we want to briefly highlight some of the key abolitionists who shaped the movement.
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was a pivotal figure in the abolitionist movement and one of the most influential voices in the fight against slavery in the 19th century. Born into slavery in 1818 in Maryland, Douglass escaped to freedom in 1838 and went on to become a leading advocate for the abolition of slavery and the rights of African Americans.
His autobiographies, particularly Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845), offered a powerful firsthand account of the horrors of slavery, exposing the brutality of the institution and contributing significantly to the abolitionist cause.
Douglass was also known for being a skilled orator, delivering speeches across the United States and Europe and passionately advocating for the immediate emancipation of enslaved people.
Douglass’s influence extended beyond the abolition of slavery; he also championed women’s rights, suffrage, and equal education. His work and efforts were instrumental in passing the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery and was the first step toward equality in the United States.
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was a central figure in the abolitionist movement and one of American history’s most courageous and influential people. Born into slavery in Maryland around 1822, she escaped to freedom in 1849 but didn’t spend the rest of her life in hiding. She returned to the South multiple times to help other enslaved people escape via the Underground Railroad, a network of safe houses and routes to free states and Canada. Tubman made around 13 missions back to the South, rescuing roughly 70 enslaved people, including family members, and guiding them to freedom. Her efforts earned her the nickname “Moses”.
She was also involved during the American Civil War, serving as a nurse, cook, and spy in the Union Army. She played a crucial role in intelligence-gathering, helping to plan raids, including the Combahee River Raid, which freed over 700 enslaved people in South Carolina.
Tubman’s bravery and leadership made her a symbol of resistance against oppression. Her tireless efforts highlight the importance of individual action in the fight for justice, and she was a key figure in both the abolitionist and broader civil rights movements.
Sarah & Angelica Grimké
Sarah (1792-1873) and Angelina Grimké (1805, 1879) were sisters who significantly influenced the abolitionist movement and first-wave women’s rights. They came from slave-owning families and, after interactions with Quakers, who were abolitionists, decided to join the fight against slavery. They broke barriers for women in activism and were key in the fight against slavery in the U.S., being among the first women to publically speak in opposition to slavery.
William Lloyd Garrison
William Lloyd Garrison (1805-1879) was known for using his newspaper, The Liberator, to advocate for the immediate abolition of slavery from 1831 to 1865. Garrison pressed his readers on the immorality of slavery and how it was a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s core principles of liberty and equality, often invoking religious imagery in his arguments. He championed the cause of immediate emancipation without compensation to enslavers, setting himself apart from other abolitionists who preferred gradual approaches. He was also one of the founding members of the American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS) in 1833.
He also advocated for racial equality, calling for full citizenship rights for Black Americans, including voting rights. Garrison co-founded the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1833 to organize abolitionist efforts, emphasizing nonviolent protest and moral persuasion, which laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements.
Lucretia Mott
Lucretia Mott (1793-1880) was a prominent abolitionist shaped by her Quaker upbringing, who believed slavery was morally wrong. She fought for racial and gender equality, collaborating with figures like Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth for immediate emancipation. She was one of the founding members of the American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS) in 1833. Mott effectively used her public speaking skills to advocate against slavery, arguing it dehumanized individuals and corrupted morality. Mott and her husband supported the work of the Underground Railroad, even opening her home to escapees despite the risks of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.
St. Josephine Bakhita
St. Josephine Bakhita’s (1869-1947) legacy is closely tied to the abolitionist movement. Born in Sudan around 1869, she was kidnapped by slave traders, sold numerous times, and endured years of abuse before gaining her freedom. Upon receiving her freedom from her owners in Italy, she later became a Catholic sister in Italy, dedicating the next 50 years of her life to helping and serving others.
Bakhita did not directly take action in the abolitionist movement; she exemplifies resilience and the fight for freedom. In 2000, decades after her death, she was canonized as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church, making her the patron saint of Sudan and victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.
Abolitionists of All Types
Both Douglass and Tubman represent people who were once victims of exploitation and became key figures in pushing for the abolition of slavery. Knowing first-hand the horrors of slavery, they shared their experience upon their escape and used and risked their freedom and their voice to help bring freedom to others. The abolition movement isn’t the same with these two incredible individuals and many others.
Garrison, Mott, and the Grimké sisters represent those on the other side of oppression, having seen the injustice done to others and chosen to be abolitionists. They wouldn’t settle for small, passive progress; they advocated for victims of slavery to have their freedom and rights.
Today, this means those who are free have a responsibility and an opportunity to advocate for those in modern-day slavery. Although the world looks different today concerning slavery, these abolitionists remind us that change happens when you are willing to see injustice and turn your awareness into action. Abolitionists used what they did best- writing, speaking, and their occupations- to bring attention to the issues. You can do that, too! Making a difference with your business, talents, or work position is the best way to get involved in the fight against trafficking.
