1776 | The Founding Mothers | 1

About this episode

The episode explores the overlooked contributions of women during the founding of America, particularly focusing on the experiences of Black women in 1776.

The Declaration of Independence said all men are created equal. But what did that mean to the women who heard those words and knew they were being lied to? Who were the women the founding fathers never mentioned — and what did they do about it? And, if America was founded on the idea of freedom, why did it take another century — and a civil war — to even begin to make good on that promise? Afua and Peter turn the founding of America upside down, telling the story of 1776 through the women the Declaration forgot: a teenage poet who became the first Black woman in history to publish a book of poetry in English, and an enslaved woman who walked into a lawyer's office and used the Constitution to abolish slavery in Massachusetts. (0:00) The Declaration of Independence is about to turn 250 — but whose freedom was it really for? (1:43) Legacy Plus — bonus episodes, early access, and fewer ads 2:00 Why enslaved Americans didn't wait to be freed — they were already fighting (5:36) Lord Dunmore's proclamation and the moment thousands of Black men chose their side (7:48) Phillis Wheatley: kidnapped at seven, named after the slave ship that took her (9:59) From chalk letters on a wall to…

People in this episode

Hosts: Afua, Peter

Topics covered

• women in history
• founding mothers
• Declaration of Independence
• slavery
• Black history
• American Revolution

Keywords

• founding mothers
• Phillis Wheatley
• Declaration of Independence
• slavery
• Black women
• American history
• freedom

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Constitution

Places: Massachusetts, London, Boston

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