The Friends of the Library at the College of Charleston will take part in a series of events honoring Sarah and Angelina Grimké, the progressive 19th century Charlestonian sisters renowned for their feminist and abolitionist activism.
The College’s Special Collections holds the Grimké Family Papers (1678-1977), which contain materials from the Grimké sisters as well their ancestors and descendants.
Sarah Grimké (1792 – 1873) and Angelina Grimké Weld (1805 – 1879) were among the first American reformers to compare the condition of women to the plight of enslaved Africans and to call for an end to exploitation based on race and gender, according to Amy McCandless, dean of the Graduate School of the University of Charleston, South Carolina.
“What is most striking about the Grimkés’ leadership was their willingness to move beyond the societal and religious constraints of their times,” says McCandless. “They challenged the justifications for slavery employed by Southern politicians and clergy (and most of their own family).”
The College’s Special Collections holds the Grimké Family Papers (1678-1977), which contain materials from the Grimké sisters as well their ancestors and descendants.
At 10:30 a.m. on May 5, 2015, the Friends of the Library will unveil an historical marker outside the childhood home of the Grimké Sisters. Charleston Mayor Joe Riley and author Sue Monk Kidd will take part in a short dedication ceremony on the George Street side of the Blake-Grimké House at 321 East Bay Street, Charleston, S.C. The event is free and open to the public.
On May 5, 2015, Sue Monk Kidd, the award-winning author of The Secret Life of Bees, will sign copies of the paperback version of her recent book, The Invention of Wings. The book is a fictionalized account of the lives of Sarah Grimké and Hetty “Handful” Grimké, an urban slave in early nineteenth century Charleston. The book-signing takes place from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the College of Charleston Barnes & Noble, located at 160 Calhoun St.
Paperback copies of The Invention of Wings as well as Sue Monk Kidd’s other novels will be on sale the day of the event.
For a completing listing of other events honoring the Grimké Sisters, visit the Friends of the Library website.
The other partnering organizations include the South Carolina Historical Society, the Sophia Institute, the Charleston Library Society, the Preservation Society of Charleston, and Grimké Sisters Walking Tours.
