WEBVTT 1 00:00:07.320 --> 00:00:10.640 Hey, everybody, come on your Story Hours on. 2 00:00:11.400 --> 00:00:14.720 Welcome to your Story Hour. I'm Aunt Nicki and. 3 00:00:14.640 --> 00:00:17.160 I'm Uncle John, and we're here to bring you today's 4 00:00:17.559 --> 00:00:23.440 inspiring story. Say, Aunt Nikki, you know what what, Uncle John. 5 00:00:23.719 --> 00:00:25.960 With all the people around the world who listen to 6 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:30.039 your Story Hour, I'm beginning to feel well popular. 7 00:00:31.280 --> 00:00:34.719 Well, now, Uncle John, I guess you might just be popular. 8 00:00:35.119 --> 00:00:38.280 After all, A popular person is someone who is liked, admired, 9 00:00:38.520 --> 00:00:41.200 or enjoyed by others, and you're all of the above. 10 00:00:41.399 --> 00:00:44.560 Oh, Aunt Nikki, you're going to make me blush? Do 11 00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:45.439 you really think so? 12 00:00:45.759 --> 00:00:46.600 Absolutely? 13 00:00:46.920 --> 00:00:47.000 So? 14 00:00:47.119 --> 00:00:49.640 What got you thinking about popularity anyway? 15 00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:52.359 Well, I read a quote today by an actor who said, 16 00:00:52.880 --> 00:00:55.759 I don't care whether people like me or dislike me. 17 00:00:56.119 --> 00:00:59.200 I'm not on earth to win a popularity contest. I'm 18 00:00:59.280 --> 00:01:02.200 here to be the best human being I possibly can be. 19 00:01:02.600 --> 00:01:05.120 Hmm, that's a very good thought, Uncle John. 20 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:07.959 I agree. I want to be the best human being 21 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:09.239 I can possibly be too. 22 00:01:09.640 --> 00:01:11.879 Then, I'm sure you'll relate to the two girls in 23 00:01:11.879 --> 00:01:14.959 Aunt Carol's story for today. They did what they believed 24 00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:17.640 was right, no matter what other people thought of them. 25 00:01:17.920 --> 00:01:21.439 Well, then I'm eager to hear all about it wonderful. 26 00:01:21.879 --> 00:01:24.040 But first I should let you know that part of 27 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:26.239 this story is told through the eyes of one of 28 00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:30.200 the main characters. It is, and very little has been 29 00:01:30.200 --> 00:01:33.280 written about this experience of hers. So we've taken the 30 00:01:33.319 --> 00:01:36.040 bits and pieces that we know about her adventure and 31 00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:37.000 woven them together. 32 00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:39.239 But the heart of the story is true, oh. 33 00:01:39.120 --> 00:01:42.719 Absolutely, So listen now as we bring you the story 34 00:01:42.879 --> 00:01:45.480 entitled The Sisters Grimkey. 35 00:01:47.400 --> 00:01:52.400 Sarah and Angelina Grimkey were Southern Bills born in South Carolina, 36 00:01:52.519 --> 00:01:56.799 the daughters of wealthy plantation owner and respected judge John Grimkey. 37 00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:01.599 Sarah and Angelina witness first hand the brutality of slavery. 38 00:02:02.799 --> 00:02:05.680 Though Sarah was thirteen years older than her sister, whom 39 00:02:05.719 --> 00:02:09.319 she called Nina, the two were inseparable in their abhorrence 40 00:02:09.360 --> 00:02:11.879 of slavery and in their campaign for the right of 41 00:02:11.879 --> 00:02:15.879 women to vote. Starting in eighteen thirty six, the sisters 42 00:02:15.919 --> 00:02:19.840 toured New England, giving speeches known as parlor talks to 43 00:02:19.960 --> 00:02:24.599 inspire new female anti slavery societies in the North. Many 44 00:02:24.639 --> 00:02:29.599 people rejected and criticized their activist behavior. Our story begins 45 00:02:29.919 --> 00:02:32.199 just outside of a Quaker meeting hall. 46 00:02:33.159 --> 00:02:35.520 Didst though take notice of the women walking toward our 47 00:02:35.599 --> 00:02:36.520 Quaker meeting hall. 48 00:02:36.800 --> 00:02:40.439 I would recognize the notorious Sarah and Angelina Grimkey anywhere, 49 00:02:40.840 --> 00:02:44.400 though it's been a while since they regularly attended our meetings. 50 00:02:44.240 --> 00:02:48.280 Since before they were ostracized by the Philadelphia Society of Friends. 51 00:02:48.759 --> 00:02:51.960 We strongly object to their association with non Quakers in 52 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:54.120 their fight for the abolition of slaves. 53 00:02:54.360 --> 00:02:57.520 Yes, their involvement in politics shames us. 54 00:02:57.400 --> 00:02:59.599 All sh they're approaching. 55 00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:04.800 Hello, friends, Hello Sarah, Will THEE and thy sister sit 56 00:03:04.840 --> 00:03:05.520 with us today? 57 00:03:05.759 --> 00:03:08.400 Thank you for the invitation, but we're going to sit 58 00:03:08.479 --> 00:03:10.560 on the bench at the back of the meeting. 59 00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:12.759 Hall, the colored bench. 60 00:03:13.080 --> 00:03:15.159 Yes, you're welcome to join us. 61 00:03:15.319 --> 00:03:17.800 We could never mingle with those women. 62 00:03:18.080 --> 00:03:22.360 Well, since the Lord created all men and women as equals, 63 00:03:22.759 --> 00:03:27.759 Angelina and I shall mingle with them. We shall go 64 00:03:27.879 --> 00:03:31.520 inside and take our seats. May the Holy Spirit speak 65 00:03:31.560 --> 00:03:34.520 to thy heart to day and to yours. 66 00:03:35.719 --> 00:03:39.120 Surprises me that some Quakers who believe in the abolition 67 00:03:39.199 --> 00:03:43.240 of slavery object so strongly to the idea of treating 68 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:44.639 black citizens. 69 00:03:44.120 --> 00:03:45.599 The same as white citizens. 70 00:03:46.080 --> 00:03:52.360 Sad Indeed, hopefully we can lead by example. Speaking of which, yes, 71 00:03:53.159 --> 00:03:58.120 look Nina that black Quaker woman standing over there by herself. Yes, 72 00:03:58.960 --> 00:04:03.719 let's go talk to all right, excuse me, May my 73 00:04:03.800 --> 00:04:06.400 sister and I sit next to you when we go inside. 74 00:04:05.960 --> 00:04:08.159 For the service, thee would sit next to me. 75 00:04:08.759 --> 00:04:11.560 Yes, we would then welcome. 76 00:04:12.199 --> 00:04:16.480 Imagine the renowned Grinky Sisters sitting next to me. I've 77 00:04:16.519 --> 00:04:18.759 not yet been to one of thy parlor talks. But 78 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:21.720 folks say so many women attend thy talks that a 79 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:23.439 parlor cannot contain the crowd. 80 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:27.240 That's true, So our parlor talks are mostly held in churches. 81 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:30.120 But we've been granted an opportunity to speak at the 82 00:04:30.120 --> 00:04:34.759 Massachusetts State House, to the House of Representatives, to the 83 00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:36.000 state legislature. 84 00:04:36.720 --> 00:04:37.519 But you're women. 85 00:04:37.879 --> 00:04:40.519 We will be the first women in America to ever 86 00:04:40.680 --> 00:04:42.360 speak to a legislative body. 87 00:04:42.519 --> 00:04:46.079 Sarah is quite excited. She dreamed of being an attorney 88 00:04:46.079 --> 00:04:47.120 when she was a child. 89 00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:51.079 Oh how I long to hear thy plans. But look, 90 00:04:51.360 --> 00:04:54.519 we must hurry inside, otherwise we'll miss the service. 91 00:04:55.639 --> 00:04:58.759 As the day of their appearance before the Massachusetts State 92 00:04:58.879 --> 00:05:04.040 Legislature approached, the Grimky Sisters spent many hours planning their speeches. 93 00:05:05.240 --> 00:05:07.920 Sarah, can we go over our speeches again? Again? 94 00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:12.199 We've already practiced them twice. I know. 95 00:05:12.959 --> 00:05:14.639 I just want to make sure we could make our 96 00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:17.480 presentation to the House of Representatives in our sleep if 97 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:18.120 we had to. 98 00:05:19.360 --> 00:05:22.319 All right, I will start out by presenting the concept 99 00:05:22.360 --> 00:05:26.120 that God created men and women as equals. Therefore, as 100 00:05:26.160 --> 00:05:29.439 citizens of this republic who equally share in the fate 101 00:05:29.480 --> 00:05:33.360 of our beloved nation, women should have equal political power 102 00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:33.920 to men. 103 00:05:34.279 --> 00:05:37.160 And then I'll refer to the petitions against slavery the 104 00:05:37.240 --> 00:05:40.600 twenty thousand women in Massachusetts have signed. I'll speak on 105 00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:43.959 their behalf about the inhumanity and immorality of slavery. 106 00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:47.279 Together, we will present a case of such sound reasoning 107 00:05:47.319 --> 00:05:49.920 that any attorney would be proud of our argument. 108 00:05:50.720 --> 00:05:54.079 However, things did not turn out as the sisters planned. 109 00:05:57.439 --> 00:05:59.839 Oh, Sarah, you sound like death. 110 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:03.120 Death is a knocking at my door yet, but a 111 00:06:03.279 --> 00:06:09.319 nasty cole decided to let himself in without even asking 112 00:06:09.399 --> 00:06:16.680 my permission. Oh Nina, I don't think. I don't think 113 00:06:16.680 --> 00:06:18.319 I'll be able to speak tomorrow. 114 00:06:18.480 --> 00:06:21.480 Or you have to speak, Sarah. Presenting an argument to 115 00:06:21.519 --> 00:06:25.040 a legislative body is the culmination of your life's dreams 116 00:06:25.040 --> 00:06:30.279 and plans. Dearest Nina, you can bring my dreams to life. 117 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:30.720 Me. 118 00:06:31.680 --> 00:06:34.759 But how as Moses spoke the words of God to 119 00:06:34.839 --> 00:06:40.240 the children of Israel. You can speak my words to 120 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:44.839 the House of Representatives, but you've heard me present my argument, 121 00:06:44.879 --> 00:06:47.000 and Paula talks all over New England. 122 00:06:47.480 --> 00:06:50.720 True, and I do know exactly what you would say 123 00:06:50.759 --> 00:06:51.680 to the legislat. 124 00:06:52.399 --> 00:06:55.959 You are well prepared for this challenge, and I'm sure 125 00:06:56.000 --> 00:06:57.399 you'll do wonderfully. 126 00:06:57.839 --> 00:07:00.639 I might be well prepared, but I've I've ever spoken 127 00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:04.480 to an audience without you by my side. I'm terrified 128 00:07:04.519 --> 00:07:05.399 to do it alone. 129 00:07:05.800 --> 00:07:09.720 How about I tell you a story to call you nerves? 130 00:07:09.959 --> 00:07:14.000 Oh yes, please distract me all right. 131 00:07:15.399 --> 00:07:18.560 Let me think of a story that might do the trick. 132 00:07:19.160 --> 00:07:19.279 Hm. 133 00:07:23.160 --> 00:07:27.079 I know, I'll tell you the story of my greatest 134 00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:32.160 act of disobedience. As you know, we grew up on 135 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:35.600 our family plantation and were taught all the skills our 136 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:40.439 parents believed would help us manage a wealthy home. We 137 00:07:40.600 --> 00:07:44.680 learned arithmetic, how to pick cotton, and how to embroider 138 00:07:44.759 --> 00:07:48.959 dainty flowers on to cushions. But I was much more 139 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:52.560 interested in the scholastic areas that our brothers were learning. 140 00:07:54.720 --> 00:07:58.160 One day in the library, Thomas spread out a large 141 00:07:58.240 --> 00:07:59.920 map on the table to show. 142 00:07:59.720 --> 00:08:05.120 Me see, Sarah. This map is of South Carolina. The 143 00:08:05.199 --> 00:08:08.560 dots show where all the towns are, and our plantations 144 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:13.800 should be about here. Interesting, And this dot right by 145 00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:17.240 the ocean is Charleston, the town we visit every summer. 146 00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:19.879 What are these monks that look like bumps? 147 00:08:20.279 --> 00:08:24.439 Those are the Appalachian Mountains the corner of South Carolina. 148 00:08:24.680 --> 00:08:28.800 Oh well, will will? I see you're giving your sister 149 00:08:28.839 --> 00:08:32.559 a geography lesson Thomas. Yes, Father, Well, I must borrow 150 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:35.639 your student for a moment. Sarah, come with me. I 151 00:08:35.679 --> 00:08:36.879 have a surprise for you. 152 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:46.559 I love surprises. Where is my surprise? 153 00:08:46.679 --> 00:08:47.000 Father? 154 00:08:47.279 --> 00:08:49.879 Your surprise is standing right in front of you. 155 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:54.519 Hello, miss a girl. Father, you've brought me a. 156 00:08:54.559 --> 00:08:58.799 Friend, not a friend, Sarah, a sleeve. This is Hitty, 157 00:08:59.039 --> 00:09:00.000 your very own slaw. 158 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:03.600 Hetty. What a pretty name, and you look very friendly. 159 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:05.519 I think I should like you as much as I 160 00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:06.159 like your name. 161 00:09:06.960 --> 00:09:13.600 Despite Father's differentiation between slaves and friends, Hetty and I 162 00:09:13.720 --> 00:09:18.360 quickly became inseparable. She was my closest playmate. 163 00:09:19.320 --> 00:09:25.879 Hetty. Let's arrange my doll collection. Oh they so pretty? 164 00:09:26.519 --> 00:09:29.840 I know. With pretend we're acting out saying, from the Bible, 165 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:34.440 maybe the story of Esther? Who's Esther? You don't know 166 00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:35.919 the story of Queen Esther? 167 00:09:36.440 --> 00:09:36.519 No? 168 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:40.720 What about other Bible stories? Do you know the story 169 00:09:40.759 --> 00:09:44.639 of Ruth and bowass Gno, Miss Isaac and Rebecca? 170 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:45.120 No? 171 00:09:45.840 --> 00:09:50.080 Why don't you know these Bible stories? Slaves don't get 172 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:53.720 Bible learning. Well, I think you should be taught about 173 00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:56.919 the Bible, you and all the other slave chilling. I'm 174 00:09:56.960 --> 00:10:01.000 gonna ask father, Father, will be in the library with 175 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:03.039 my brothers and so. 176 00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:06.159 Boys always remember that a good lawyer. 177 00:10:06.320 --> 00:10:10.919 Please, Father, Sarah, Father, can I teach the slave chilling 178 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:15.240 about the Bible? What? Hetty doesn't know any Bible stories? 179 00:10:15.639 --> 00:10:19.000 She says, slave chilling aren't taught about the Bible, but 180 00:10:19.080 --> 00:10:21.480 they should be. Can I teach them? 181 00:10:21.960 --> 00:10:27.039 Well, now that's an interesting dilemma, a provocative topic. I 182 00:10:27.200 --> 00:10:29.960 was just setting up a debate for your brothers. How 183 00:10:29.960 --> 00:10:31.240 would you like to participate? 184 00:10:31.480 --> 00:10:34.559 Oh? Yes, but suh, she's. 185 00:10:34.320 --> 00:10:36.159 A Yeah, she's a girl. 186 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:38.919 But you know, when I grow up, I want to 187 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:39.840 be an attorney. 188 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:43.799 And you know that girls cannot become attorneys. But you 189 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:49.279 can provide good practice for your brothers. So boys, listen up. Yes, Father, 190 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:53.919 Thomas and Sarah will have a debate. Thomas, you shall 191 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:59.000 argue against teaching slave children the Bible. Sarah shall support 192 00:10:59.039 --> 00:11:03.519 the idea. Ready begin, give me a moment to think. 193 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:09.879 Okay, thought about a reason why slaves shouldn't be taught 194 00:11:09.879 --> 00:11:14.919 the Bible. People say that if slaves knew the Bible's teachings, 195 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:16.960 they would become rebellious. 196 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:20.279 Thomas, the Bible shouldn't make people rebellious. 197 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:21.279 But the opposite. 198 00:11:21.919 --> 00:11:26.240 The wisest man whoever lived, King Solomon said that only 199 00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:28.240 an evil man seeks rebellion. 200 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:34.240 Well, what about Moses? He freed the children of Israel 201 00:11:34.279 --> 00:11:36.960 from slavery. Don't you think that our slaves would start 202 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:38.279 looking for their own Moses. 203 00:11:38.480 --> 00:11:41.360 Why would slaves look for a Moses when they could 204 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:45.600 look to Jesus, the Creator and Savior of the whole world. 205 00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:50.720 And Jesus taught his disciples if anyone desires to be first, 206 00:11:51.200 --> 00:11:54.000 he shall be last of all and servant of all. 207 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:58.559 Father. That's not fair. How can I refute something Jesus said? 208 00:11:58.919 --> 00:12:03.960 Well, then, Sarah, you've won this debate. I swear if 209 00:12:03.960 --> 00:12:06.200 you were born a boy, you just might have become 210 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:10.039 the greatest attorney in the country. So may i, father, 211 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:11.919 may you become an attorney. 212 00:12:12.440 --> 00:12:16.360 No, may I teach the slave children about the Bible. 213 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:22.039 Oh, I have many reservations about this idea, bud Yes, 214 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:24.320 you may, thank you father. 215 00:12:27.320 --> 00:12:31.320 How do you wait? Yes, miss, Father gave me permission 216 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:36.200 to tell bob stores on Sunday afternoons. H how wonderful. 217 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:41.039 In Bible times, it was illegal for anyone to appear 218 00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:45.639 uninvited before the King of Persia. If they did, they 219 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:49.960 were killed. Esther, the queen, was a Jew. She found 220 00:12:50.039 --> 00:12:53.159 out that an evil man was plotting to have all 221 00:12:53.240 --> 00:12:56.799 the Jews killed. So to save the lives of her people, 222 00:12:56.960 --> 00:13:00.279 as to put on her finest dress and so her 223 00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:04.679 glittering crown on her head. Then she bravely marched to 224 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:10.399 the king's court, right past the scary guards. What happened? Then? 225 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:15.000 The king recognized his lovely wife and held out his 226 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:18.519 scepter in welcome that nut she won't be killed. 227 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:23.159 I loved telling Hetty and the other children Bible stories, 228 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:28.159 but I longed to teach them to read the scriptures 229 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:32.159 for themselves. It didn't seem right to have them hear 230 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:36.519 about the lord's second hand. So I did something that 231 00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:39.960 I knew would make our father angry if he were 232 00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:41.279 ever to find out. 233 00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:55.519 Hmmmmmm, Hetty, have you ever wished you could read the Bible? 234 00:13:56.639 --> 00:14:01.000 Yes, miss, but as slaves don't know how to, I 235 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:05.759 can teach you to read namas it's illegal for slaves 236 00:14:05.799 --> 00:14:09.000 to learn how to read. I don't want no trouble, 237 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:10.519 but bro it. 238 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:13.440 If no one ever found out, it will be a 239 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:16.320 secret just between the two of us. 240 00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:21.360 We'll find out what happens to Sarah and Hetty in 241 00:14:21.399 --> 00:14:24.159 a minute. But first, Uncle John and I want to 242 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:26.720 tell you kids about Adventures in the Holy Bible. 243 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:29.679 That's right, Aunt Nikki. We are so fortunate to live 244 00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:31.679 in a time where we can read the Bible in 245 00:14:31.720 --> 00:14:34.480 the open. We don't have to keep our Bible studies 246 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:34.960 a secret. 247 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:38.919 The Bible is full of such interesting stories and good 248 00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:39.759 life lessons. 249 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:43.000 Yes, and Adventures in the Holy Bible is such a 250 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:45.039 fun way to get to know the Bible better. 251 00:14:45.159 --> 00:14:48.240 The Adventures are a series of fun and free Bible lessons. 252 00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:51.440 They are non denominational, which means they take you through 253 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:55.440 Bible principles without promoting any particular church's beliefs. 254 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:57.840 And the best part is that as you complete the 255 00:14:57.919 --> 00:15:01.360 lessons you'll be earning for f read our stories on 256 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:02.519 the life of Jesus. 257 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:05.240 We encourage you to check out the adventures on our 258 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:09.320 website at yourstoryour dot org. But now let's get back 259 00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:12.279 to our story called the Sister's Grim. 260 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:12.639 Ky. 261 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:17.840 I knew it was illegal to teach slaves to read, 262 00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:21.879 but I didn't care. The most important thing was that 263 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:25.080 heady learn how to read the scriptures. 264 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:30.720 Your hair is so soft, miss. 265 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:32.960 Good, then you don't need to brush it anymore. Instead, 266 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:37.440 I can teach you how to read. Ah hear RDI 267 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:40.559 is my spellumble. I'm gonna use it to teach you 268 00:15:40.559 --> 00:15:46.919 your letters. But but why somebody, Jesus, nobody will see us. 269 00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:50.159 We'll be careful. I'll only give you reading lessons that night, 270 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:53.279 when you're supposed to be helping me get ready for bed. Come, 271 00:15:53.679 --> 00:15:57.000 let's go step by the fire so we can see. Yes, niss, 272 00:15:58.840 --> 00:16:01.919 all right? See this letter that looks like a snake. 273 00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:06.960 It sounds like a snake to you. It's an as 274 00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:13.720 s S makes a sound. It's the first letter in 275 00:16:13.799 --> 00:16:18.000 my name, Sarah. What's the first letter in my name? 276 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:22.480 It's right here h H When H is at the 277 00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:25.519 beginning of a name or sentence, it looks like a 278 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:29.240 gate c. But when it's in the middle of a word, 279 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:32.159 it looks like this, more like a chair. 280 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:34.519 What was that? 281 00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:38.799 Oh, it's just the house creaking. It does that, and 282 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:44.480 not when the temperature changes. Oh I was Yeah, somebody 283 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:48.799 found us out. Don't worry, Hetty, our lessons are gonna 284 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:55.399 go just fine, Hetty. I just told mother that I'm 285 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:58.679 getting ready for bed, and I will. But first, are 286 00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:04.319 you ready for your reading? Oh? Yes, miss sh Grab 287 00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:05.880 the spilling boot and come over. 288 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:06.400 By the fire. 289 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:09.519 First, I need to hang a planket over the keyhole 290 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:14.319 in the door as usual, so that nobody can peek 291 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:16.480 in and see what would do it? 292 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:20.319 And now to get the book, come and sit right 293 00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:25.920 here next to me. Okay, ready, let's start with an 294 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:31.359 easy review. What's this letter? Jay? Correct? In this letter? 295 00:17:31.880 --> 00:17:33.519 You good? 296 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:36.880 You know the whole alphabet now, and you've also been 297 00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:40.319 getting better out sounding out words. So I'm gonna write 298 00:17:40.359 --> 00:17:42.839 a short sentence and see if you can read it. 299 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:53.200 What does this say? God loves me? God loves me? 300 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:56.559 I can read it. Yay, you can read. 301 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:05.440 Days and weeks passed in a flurry. I could hardly 302 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:08.359 wait for evening to come so I could continue Heady's 303 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:12.680 reading lessons. Teaching Heady to read and write made me 304 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:19.480 feel daring and invincible. I didn't think anything could go amiss, 305 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:21.039 but I was wrong. 306 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:30.599 Here Heady read this, and God said, let there be light. 307 00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:34.200 Oh no, somebody's. 308 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:39.119 Coming, Sarah. 309 00:18:39.319 --> 00:18:42.640 Sarah, I came to tell you that Thomas has been 310 00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:44.640 accepted at Yale for college. 311 00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:46.359 Thomas is a leaving Yes. 312 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:49.400 I know he thinks he wants to be a minister, 313 00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:52.720 but I'm sure that attending Yale would show him that 314 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:55.119 his best course of action is to become an attorney 315 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:55.480 like me. 316 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:58.440 I don't want Thomas to go away to college. 317 00:18:58.640 --> 00:19:02.079 I know that, Sarah, but he Sarah, why is your 318 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:04.039 slave holding a spelling book? Um? 319 00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:06.200 Well we were. 320 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:09.319 You know that's illegal, Sarah. 321 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:12.440 I just want to teach Hetty how to read the Bible. 322 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:16.720 But that is against the law. You disappoint me, my daughter. 323 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:25.279 Your disobedience will have grave consequences. Sarah. I am an 324 00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:29.400 attorney and a judge, and you, my daughter, flout the 325 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:33.200 law under my own roof. My life's work has been 326 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:35.759 to compile the laws of South Carolina, and you have 327 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:40.119 knowingly broken those very laws. Don't you know that if 328 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:42.559 anyone were to find out that you have been teaching 329 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:45.480 your slave to read, our family would be fined one 330 00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:50.880 hundred dollars. Father, No, you listen to me, young lady. 331 00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:53.880 Hetty is going to be severely punished, and if I 332 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:57.359 ever see her reading again, I will have her whipped. 333 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.079 Father. 334 00:19:58.319 --> 00:20:06.480 No, No, I couldn't bear the thought of Hetty being whipped. 335 00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:09.519 But I also couldn't bear the thought of her and 336 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:17.319 in her reading lessons. What a quandary. Tragically, however, the 337 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:22.440 problem was solved for me. Shortly after our reading lessons 338 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:29.200 were discovered, Hetty got sick and died. I was inconsolable. 339 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:40.000 Sarah, Sarah, I am sorry about Hetty, but. 340 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:42.680 She was just a slave. 341 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:46.359 Come, I'll give you another girl to take her place. 342 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:49.599 No, I'll never have a slave again. 343 00:20:54.759 --> 00:21:01.240 Good morning, Sarah. Look at that sunshine. Come now, it's 344 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:04.160 been weeks since your slave died, and I Missy in 345 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:07.119 your lovely smile. But I think I have a way 346 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:10.160 to bring your smile back. I have a surprise for you. 347 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:14.079 I told you before, I don't want another slave. 348 00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:17.640 Come and see this surprise is not a slave. 349 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:20.359 It isn't what is it then? 350 00:21:21.160 --> 00:21:27.279 Just come along meet your baby, sister, Angelina. I know 351 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:30.000 you've been eager for our baby's arrival, and she was 352 00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:31.160 born last night. 353 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:36.359 She's so beautiful, just like her mother, and she has 354 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:43.359 such tiny fingers and tiny toes. Can I be her godmother? Please? 355 00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:47.160 We'll see. 356 00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:50.559 After much begging, father and mother agreed to let me 357 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:55.839 be your godmother. I took the responsibility very seriously and 358 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:59.559 prayed to God, asking that he make me worthy of 359 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:04.799 the tame as I resolved to raise you to be 360 00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:08.960 a woman of integrity. And look at you now, you 361 00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:12.880 are getting ready to speak to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. 362 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:16.920 I am so proud of you, my beautiful Nina. 363 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:22.160 Oh Sarah, I am who I am because of you. 364 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:26.759 From my whole life. You have modeled the courage to 365 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:29.519 do what is right, even to the point of breaking 366 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:33.720 the law. Your character reminds me of Queen Esther. 367 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:36.359 I remind you of Queen Esther. 368 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:41.319 Yes. In fact, tomorrow, when I'm speaking to the Legislature, 369 00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:44.880 I will draw parallels between our mission of life and 370 00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:48.759 love and that of Esther. We are also trying to 371 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:50.079 save a race of people. 372 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:53.839 That is true. 373 00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:56.759 And now, my dear sister, I shall leave you to 374 00:22:56.880 --> 00:23:00.559 rest and recover. You have given me the courage I 375 00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:02.200 need to face tomorrow. 376 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:07.799 Despite Angelina Grimkey's positive words, she was terrified as she 377 00:23:07.880 --> 00:23:10.480 walked to the State House the following morning on February 378 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:14.200 twenty one, eighteen thirty eight. Angelina and her sister had 379 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:17.680 already visited sixty seven New England towns to give parlor 380 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:22.200 talks and addressed over forty thousand people, but her heart 381 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:25.240 hammered in her chest as she saw the crowds heading 382 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:27.160 to the State House to hear her speak. 383 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:32.359 You mind, it looks like everyone in Boston is coming 384 00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:35.319 to hear the Grimkey sisters. I heard the people started 385 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:36.799 arriving two hours ago. 386 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:40.079 Well, it is the first time in our country's history 387 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:43.160 that a woman will speak to a state legislature. 388 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.839 Quite momentous, and. 389 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:48.680 I'm eager to witness the grand event me too. 390 00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:50.920 Who just look at all the people gathered around the 391 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:52.000 State House building. 392 00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:53.920 It's doubtful we'll get a seat. 393 00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:56.240 I'm willing to stand in the back as long as 394 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:57.200 I can hear the speech. 395 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.759 That's the spirit. 396 00:23:59.359 --> 00:24:04.200 Oh, I see one of the Grimkey sisters walking toward us. Angelina, 397 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:07.200 I recognize her from the parlor talk I attended. 398 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:10.519 She looks nice. I wonder why the Daily Press nicknamed 399 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:11.559 her Devilina? 400 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:13.720 Where's that Devilina? 401 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:18.160