The Rhetorical Tradition
Patricia Bizzell and Bruce Herzberg, eds.
“Maria W. Stewart”
“Maria W. Stewart”
Stewart (born Maria Miller) was a free African American woman who was orphaned at age 5, worked as an indentured servant for a clergyman until 15, and was educated in Sabbath schools, ie, schools designed for basic reading and writing instruction so individuals could read Scripture and keep journals concerning their reflections on how Scripture connected to their lives. She was married in 1826 to James W. Stewart (well-off ship outfitter, Bostonian, and African American community leader) at the age of 23 (he was 46). After his death, and the death of her minister, she decided her life’s mission was to work in the African American community.
Stewart connected with William Loyd Garrison who published her work in The Liberator, and eventually began speaking in Boston–most importantly was one of the first women to speak publicly to mixed audiences (think Cult of True Womanhood from 751). Stewart is often overlooked in favor of the Grimké sisters, most likely due to race and socio-economic class (Stewart was swindled out of her inheritance from James and lived as working class poor for the rest of her life, serving as sometime teacher, community worker, and speaker/writer). Her oratorical style is described by B&H as “black jeremiad,” that is, “announced religious inspiration, biblical echoes and referecnes, especially to Jeremiah and the Book of Revelations” (1035); and she preached betterment for African Americans through education, hard work, and social activism to end slavery/institutional racism.
Lecture Delivered at the Franklin Hall
- Example of jeremiad on 1037 first column.
- Call for gender equality and access to education for women bottom of first column into second column on page 1037.
- 1038 top of the first column and 1039 at the end of the speech–the prophet admonishing sinners (Anglo American on 1038, African American on 1039) with scathing examples of how they fall short in doing work beneficial to themselves and God.
Mrs. Stewart’s Farewell Address to Her Friends in the City of Boston
Example of religious inspriation on 1040, top of first column.
1040 into 1041 example of religion as way to express her desire for social change and as a way to legitimate her goals of community improvement.
Interesting play on Paul’ misogony and a turning of the true womanhood concept from domestic angel to social activist–first column mid-way on 1041.
End of first column into second column, Stewart begins to use historic examples to support her claims that women should be allowed to speak in public on social issues.
Bottom of 1041 Stewart chastizes those who are scandalized by her public speaking.
