In the late 1700s, London’s abolitionist movement wasn’t driven only by men. Elite women who were wealthy, educated, and socially connected played a quiet but powerful role, often behind the scenes. Because they couldn’t vote, didn’t have a platform to speak, or the ability to hold public office, they used the tools available while protecting their families’ reputations.

Many of these women published poems, essays, pamphlets, and letters condemning slavery without signing their names. One of the best examples is Hannah More, who wrote abolitionist poetry that circulated across Britain. She was a member of the Bluestocking circle who used literature to shape public opinion. In addition, thousands of women – many elite – signed or circulated petitions. These were some of the first mass political actions by women in British history. The arguments included statements that women had a duty to speak out. They urged Parliament to end slavery because it was “a stain upon the national character (1792). These same women urged households to boycott West Indian sugar because they used enslaved labor– one of the earliest consumer-driven human rights campaigns.

For anyone who wants to explore this history firsthand, the full text of a post by Hannah More can be read on the Internet Archive: Slavery, a poem. By Hannah More. 1788 : More, Hannah : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

These women were heroes at a time when they themselves were denied basic political rights.