Phillis Wheatley was an enslaved woman who was taken from Senegal/Gambia, West Africa when she was only 7 years old [3]. She arrived at a harbor in Boston, where she was purchased by Susanna Whatley to be a domestic slave [2]. Susanna and her husband, John Wheatley, chose to educate Phillis. This was uncommon for American Slaves. The couple realized that she was exceptionally talented in writing and encouraged her to write poetry [1]. It has been recognized that she was treated well by the family and did not experience “slavey’s treacherous demands” [1]. Nevertheless, she was still taken from her home country and was forced into this position. John Wheatley owned printing presses in both New England and London, where he printed Phillis’ poems. This was able to kick start her career as a writer. 

Unfortunately, Colonists were hesitant to publish writing from a slave. Because of this inherent racism, Susanna and John chose to bring Phillis to London on May 8th, 1771 [1]. There, two pieces of work were published: “poems on various subjects” and “religious and moral” on September 1st, 1773 [2]. On her return to America, she was emancipated by the Wheatley’s after her publications [2]. By the time she was 18, she had 28 published poems [1]. Ironically, many of her poems were about her love for America[2].  Because of this, they became very popular in the colonies. They were highly acclaimed, she was even praised by and was even able to meet George Washington [1]. She was the first African American and one of the first women to publish a book of poetry in the colonies [3]. 

She out-lived both John and Susanna. Being a successful writer and freed from slavery, she moved on to having a personal life. 

Once she received freedom, she continued to write. She married John Peters, also a free Black man and writer. They moved to Massachusetts together to begin their life. Unfortunately, there were limited opportunities for Black people at this time, despitethier freedom from slavery. She and her husband lived in a ‘filthy’ apartment and had to endure the death of two infants due to lack of healthcare and inadequate living conditions [2]. She continued to write poetry, but without the help of the Wheatleys, her publication opportunities were next to nonexistent. John was forced into prison for not paying off his debts. Wheatley died alone on December 5th, 1784, buried next to her two babies. It was a tragic death for an intellectual, strong, and revolutionary woman. She wrote 145 known poems, although it’s assumed there are many more that were not published or recognized; as she dedicated her life to her writing. 

She Grows It wishes to highlight this talented woman during our week-long suffragist blog series, despite the fact she did not specifically do work within the Women's Suffrage movement. We commemorate her for being an example for woman and girls everywhere- 

“Wheatley was the abolitionists’ illustrative testimony that Blacks could be both artistic and intellectual” [1]. She showed the world that women, specifically Black women, can be intelligent, create art, and strive for excellence. The tragic ending of her life exemplifies why suffragists and civil rights activists fight so hard for equality. The America that Phillis loved deeply failed her. We acknowledge her as a leader and a fighter during our week of suffragists.

Authors: Dr. Ashley Milton, Alyssa Kalac, Marina Tsoumpa

References: 

1. “Phillis Wheatley”. 2020. Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/phillis-wheatley

2. “Phillis Wheatley” October 8th, 2020. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillis_Wheatley 

3. “Phillis Wheatley” January 19th, 2018. Biography. https://www.biography.com/writer/phillis-wheatley