Who is Frances Ellen Watkins Harper?
(image via The Library of Congress)
In September 2024, nearly two centuries after Frances Ellen Watkins Harper’s birth in Baltimore, Parks & People completed a park adjacent to the school that was given her name in the 1900s. Frances Ellen Harper Park honored Harper’s legacy by revitalizing green space in a historically underserved and disenfranchised Black community. Furthermore, the Park draws attention to Frances Ellen Harper’s oft ignored legacy. Many today have never heard of Francis Ellen Harper, but this Baltimore native fought tirelessly for racial justice as a poet, abolitionist, orator, and writer. This Women’s History Month, Parks & People honors Frances Ellen Harper and her fight for equality. Who exactly was Harper—and how is Parks & People carrying on her mission?
Our World Needs Music: Honoring Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
Our world, so worn and weary, / Needs music, pure and strong, /
To hush the jangle and discords / Of sorrow, pain, and wrong. (Source)
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (September 24, 1825 – February 22, 1911) brought that “pure and strong” music to life through her unwavering fight for justice. Born in Baltimore, Harper became a trailblazer in literature, achieving recognition as the first African American woman to publish both a short story and a novel. Her eloquence extended beyond the page—she used her extraordinary gift for language to champion the abolition of slavery, advocate for women’s suffrage, and demand racial equality, leaving an indelible mark on history.
Early Life and Education
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper was the only child of free Black parents. Her mother died before Frances was three years old, leaving her to be raised by her aunt and uncle. Her uncle, an abolitionist and educator, ran the Academy for Negro Youth in Baltimore, where Frances received her early education. At the age of 13, she began working for a white Baltimore family as a seamstress and nursemaid. The family owned a bookstore and Harper educated herself by reading voraciously.
In 1845, at just 20 years old, Harper published her first collection of poetry, Forest Leaves. This marked the beginning of a prolific writing career that would see her become one of the most celebrated Black literary figures of her time.
Commitment to Abolitionism
In 1853, Maryland—a slave state—passed a law prohibiting the entrance of free Black people from the North. The law effectively barred Harper from returning to her birthplace. Soon after, Harper learned of a free Black man who had been captured, sold into slavery, and died attempting to escape. The events profoundly influenced Harper: “Upon that grave I pledged myself to the antislavery cause.”
Moving to Philadelphia in 1853, she became associated with William Still, a leader in the Underground Railroad. Harper contributed her earnings from poetry sales and lectures to fund this critical network, helping countless enslaved individuals find freedom. Her powerful poem, "The Slave Auction," vividly depicted the horrors of slavery, particularly its impact on women and families:
And mothers stood with streaming eyes, / And saw their dearest children sold;/ Unheeded rose their bitter cries, / While tyrants bartered them for gold.
Harper’s abolitionist work extended beyond poetry. She became a sought-after speaker, traveling across the United States to lecture on civil rights, women’s suffrage, and racial justice. Her oratory skills earned her widespread acclaim, and her ability to weave personal stories and poetry into her speeches made her an unforgettable presence on the anti-slavery circuit.
Literary Achievements
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper broke barriers in literature. She was the first Black woman to publish a short story, "The Two Offers" in 1859, and one of the first to publish a novel, Iola Leroy: or, Shadows Uplifted (1892). Her poetry collections, including Poems on Miscellaneous Subjects (1854) and Sketches of Southern Life (1872), were widely popular, with Poems on Miscellaneous Subjects being reprinted more than 20 times.
Harper’s works often addressed themes of racial identity, gender inequality, and social justice. Her pioneering use of vernacular language and her focus on the lived experiences of Black Americans laid the groundwork for future generations of writers. Scholars have credited her with shaping African American literature even though her contributions were underappreciated for much of the 20th century.
Advocacy for Women’s Rights
Harper was not only a champion of racial justice but also a staunch advocate for women’s rights. In 1866, she delivered a speech at the National Women’s Rights Convention in New York, famously declaring, "You white women speak here of rights; I speak of wrongs." She highlighted the double burden of racism and sexism that Black women faced and emphasized the need for unity in the fight for equality.
Despite tensions within the women’s suffrage movement, Harper remained committed to advocating for universal suffrage. She also worked tirelessly to empower Black women, organizing clubs that provided education and resources to help them achieve financial independence and leadership roles within their communities.
A Lasting Legacy
Harper’s impact extended far beyond her writing and speaking. She fought against lynching, promoted temperance, and worked to improve education for African Americans. She spent her later years in Philadelphia, writing and advocating for social justice until she died in 1911. The Boston Daily Globe aptly summarized her influence: "Probably no colored woman in this country has done more for her race than Mrs. Frances Ellen Watkins Harper."
Frances Ellen Harper Park: A Tribute to Her Vision
In 2024, Parks & People honored Harper’s legacy by opening Frances Ellen Harper Park in Baltimore’s Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood. This vibrant one-acre green space transformed 35 vacant parcels of land into a community resource. With amenities like shade structures and stoop amphitheater seating, the park serves 3,252 residents within a quarter-mile radius, offering much-needed recreational and gathering space. By naming this park after Harper, Parks & People, celebrates her contributions to Baltimore’s history and reinforces her vision of uplifting marginalized communities through education, activism, and collective action.
Two people walk in Frances Ellen Harper Park
Parks & People and friends gather in Frances Harper Ellen Park
Get Involved with Parks & People
Parks & People continues to create opportunities for Baltimore residents to connect with nature, improve their communities, and honor the city’s rich history. Learn more about donating or volunteering at the Parks & People.
