Biography
An African-American suffragist, publisher, journalist, and civil rights leader, in 1893 Ruffin founded the Woman’s Era, the first national newspaper published by and for African-American women. After the civil war, Ruffin served on several charities to support Southern Blacks, later participating in multiple clubs and service organizations in Boston. In 1893, with Ida B. Wells and Maria Baldwin, Ruffin created The Woman’s Era Club in Boston, the first civic club for Black women in the U.S. The Club’s objectives were to offer its members, which were not limited to Black women, opportunities for self-improvement and to address issues that directly affected the African-American community, from politics and education to racism and lynchings in the South. Ruffin and her daughter, Florida Ruffin Ridley, advertised a conference in the Club’s paper, the Woman’s Era, bringing Black clubwomen to Boston in 1895 for the first National Conference of Colored Women in America. Women from the conference formed the National Federation of Afro-American Women. Ruffin supported the local suffrage movement as well, working with suffragists Lucy Stone and Julia Ward Howe who believed in equality for all. With their encouragement, Ruffin earned leadership positions in local and national suffrage organizations, such as the American Woman Suffrage Association, the MA Woman Suffrage Association, among others. We honor Ruffin’s leadership and dedication to suffrage and equality!
Amplify Josephine’s Story on Social Media
HBD, Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin (1842-1924)! Suffragist, journalist & civil rights leader, she founded the Woman’s Era, 1st national newspaper created by & for Black women, which successfully promoted many other Black women clubs. Honoring her leadership on suffrage & equality! pic.twitter.com/vQ0Xdl7ewr
— Suffrage100MA (@Suffrage100MA) September 1, 2021
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March 2021