Abolitionist and suffragist. With her husband Robert, she was a leader of the Underground Railroad. She was a founding member of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society in 1833, and a leading member of the city's Female Vigilant Society, which provided aid and transport to runaway slaves. In 1876, she became the first African-American woman to be elected vice president of the National Woman Suffrage Association. She was the daughter of James Forten, a sailmaker and abolitionist (1766-1842) and Charlotte Vandine Forten, a teacher (1785-1884). Mother of William P. Purvis (1832-1857), Robert Purvis, Jr. (1834-1862), Joseph Parrish Purvis (1836-1851), Harriet Purvis (1839-1905), Dr. Charles Burleigh Purvis (1842-1929), Henry William Purvis (1843-1907), Granville Sharp Purvis (1846-1911), and Georgianna Purvis (1850-1877). In addition to her own children, Harriet also raised her niece, Charlotte Forten Grimké, following the death of Charlotte's mother.
Abolitionist and suffragist. With her husband Robert, she was a leader of the Underground Railroad. She was a founding member of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society in 1833, and a leading member of the city's Female Vigilant Society, which provided aid and transport to runaway slaves. In 1876, she became the first African-American woman to be elected vice president of the National Woman Suffrage Association. She was the daughter of James Forten, a sailmaker and abolitionist (1766-1842) and Charlotte Vandine Forten, a teacher (1785-1884). Mother of William P. Purvis (1832-1857), Robert Purvis, Jr. (1834-1862), Joseph Parrish Purvis (1836-1851), Harriet Purvis (1839-1905), Dr. Charles Burleigh Purvis (1842-1929), Henry William Purvis (1843-1907), Granville Sharp Purvis (1846-1911), and Georgianna Purvis (1850-1877). In addition to her own children, Harriet also raised her niece, Charlotte Forten Grimké, following the death of Charlotte's mother.
Bio by: Margaret Orthodox
Family Members
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