Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825-1911) was an African American abolitionist, poet, and advocate for the women’s rights and temperance movements. Born free in Baltimore, she was raised by her uncle William Watkins, an influential speaker, author, abolitionist, and minister. Still a teenager, Harper published her first articles in anti-slavery journals. Her first published volume of poetry, one of the first published works by an African American woman in the United States, was “Forest Leaves” in 1845. Harper continued to publish poetry, pamphlets, and other assorted works well into the 20th century. She publicly advocated for women’s right to vote against men, but also against prominent white women suffragists who did not believe that the 15th Amendment should be extended to African American women. Considered lost for more than 150 years, “Forest Leaves” was rediscovered a few years ago in Special Collections at the Maryland Historical Society. It is the only known copy. Image: “Fo...