User:Ayevans/Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women

Convention of 1838

The second Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women took place at Pennsylvania Hall on Tuesday May 15th, 1838. There were 203 delegates and 73 corresponding members. Similar to the previous year, Mary S. Parker of Boston was chosen as president. Despite growing opposition to the objective of the group from the general public, the convention still decided to meet and create resolutions. One of the most significant campaigns that the group undertook was petitioning to Congress to end slavery. The committee also decided to withdraw church support if the churches were pro-slavery and to petition them to adopt anti-slavery principles. Finally, they expanded upon their philosophy of nonresistance which was steeped in religion. A committee was organized to formally publish the goals of the group.

Even though the members of the convention were able to successfully devise up multiple resolutions regarding their anti-slavery activism, they still faced fierce public opposition. Mobs of people were deeply upset about the objection of the convention and particularly opposed the racial mixing or miscegenation that occurred. There was also an anxiety among racist white people that abolitionists would encourage black people to find employment which would increase competition for jobs. These economic and social anxieties culminated in the burning of Pennsylvania Hall by a mob during the 1838 convention.

Added content to Resolutions section:

An important resolution that was reached during this first convention was that women would use their Christian values and morality to fight for anti-slavery. It was framed as a duty to undertake as a Christian and women were encouraged to use their voice, money, and status to achieve the groups goals.