The Woman’s Era
The decade of the 1890s became known among African American women as the “Woman’s Era,” when they became outspoken organizers for justice. Ridley was one of many such leaders. The nation needed them. In the 1890’s whites strengthened their control of the country. The 90’s was a decade marked by a sharp increase in violence and lynching, together with a sharp decline in African Americans’ voting and civil rights. It was the decade when Ridley, in her 30’s, became a political leader.
The Woman’s Era Club
In 1893, Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin together with her daughter, Florida Ruffin Ridley, and a few others, responded to this racial crisis and established the Woman’s Era Club. Ridley said its purpose was
"[to] call the women together and organize, not for race-work alone,
but for work along all the lines that make for women’s progress."
By early 1894, one hundred women came to hear speakers on the issues of the day and to decide what actions to take. The club founders sought to make alliances with all women, knowing how powerful their support could be. It seems only a few white women reformers supported the club.
“The Woman’s Era”: a monthly newspaper for the country
A mere year after founding the Club, Ridley and her mother began editing and publishing The Woman’s Era, the first newspaper by and for African American women, reaching women across the country from 1894-97. The paper was remarkable, with strong editorials covering race and suffrage issues, recommended books to read, domestic advice and more.
In the Woman’s Era, Ridley and her mother encouraged African American women to form clubs. As these developed, they served as a base for increased public engagement.
The decade of the 1890s became known among African American women as the “Woman’s Era,” when they became outspoken organizers for justice. Ridley was one of many such leaders. The nation needed them. In the 1890’s whites strengthened their control of the country. The 90’s was a decade marked by a sharp increase in violence and lynching, together with a sharp decline in African Americans’ voting and civil rights. It was the decade when Ridley, in her 30’s, became a political leader.
The Woman’s Era Club
In 1893, Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin together with her daughter, Florida Ruffin Ridley, and a few others, responded to this racial crisis and established the Woman’s Era Club. Ridley said its purpose was
"[to] call the women together and organize, not for race-work alone,
but for work along all the lines that make for women’s progress."
By early 1894, one hundred women came to hear speakers on the issues of the day and to decide what actions to take. The club founders sought to make alliances with all women, knowing how powerful their support could be. It seems only a few white women reformers supported the club.
“The Woman’s Era”: a monthly newspaper for the country
A mere year after founding the Club, Ridley and her mother began editing and publishing The Woman’s Era, the first newspaper by and for African American women, reaching women across the country from 1894-97. The paper was remarkable, with strong editorials covering race and suffrage issues, recommended books to read, domestic advice and more.
In the Woman’s Era, Ridley and her mother encouraged African American women to form clubs. As these developed, they served as a base for increased public engagement.