The Collected Meditations of Mrs. Maria W. Stewart

The Collected Meditations of Mrs. Maria W. Stewart (2021) is a groundbreaking collection that compiles the speeches and writings of Maria W. Stewart, the first African American public lecturer. It includes some of her best works, such as Meditations from the Pen of Mrs. Maria Stewart, her 1832 speech delivered at the Franklin Hall, her address delivered before the African American Female Intelligence Society, and her lecture delivered at the African Masonic Hall in 1833. Stewart became one of Bostons most prominent lecturers on abolition and womens rights, condemning slavery and racism and calling attention to the oppression faced by free African Americans living in the north. This collection places her best-known speeches alongside her highly regarded meditations, personal reflections on life as a Black woman in nineteenth-century America.

Format: Hardback
Length: 104 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: West Margin Press

The Collected Meditations of Mrs. Maria W. Stewart (2021) is a groundbreaking compilation that brings together the speeches and writings of Maria W. Stewart, the pioneering African American public lecturer. This comprehensive collection showcases some of the finest works from Stewart's illustrious career, spanning from her early speeches to her notable addresses before the African American Female Intelligence Society and the African Masonic Hall.

In her unwavering commitment to advocating for the oppressed African continent, Stewart embraced the role of a martyr, willing to endure suffering for the cause. She firmly believed in the protective power of her trusted God, who would shield her from the wrath and malice of her enemies. Even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, Stewart held onto the hope that God would find a way to deliver her from harm.

Over the course of just five years, Stewart emerged as one of Boston's most prominent lecturers on abolition and women's rights. Her passionate condemnations of slavery and her unwavering attention to the racism faced by free African Americans in the north resonated with audiences far and wide. Through her powerful speeches, Stewart tirelessly raised awareness about the injustices perpetrated against Black individuals and called for immediate action to rectify them.

What sets this collection apart is its inclusion of Stewart's renowned meditations alongside her most celebrated speeches. These personal reflections provide a deeper insight into her life as a Black woman in nineteenth-century America, offering a poignant portrayal of the challenges and hardships she faced. A keen observer of political events, Stewart used her platform to speak out against oppression of all kinds, advocating for the rights and dignity of marginalized communities.

Despite her significant contributions to the movements for abolition and women's rights, Maria W. Stewart remains relatively unknown to the broader public. This edition of The Collected Meditations of Mrs. Maria W. Stewart, with its beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, seeks to rectify that oversight. It presents a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers, ensuring that Stewart's powerful voice and unwavering dedication to social justice continue to resonate with generations to come.

Dimension: 203 x 127 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781513134529