Cary, Mary Ann Shadd

1823-1893 · Contribution: 1853-1859

Newspaper editor; abolitionist; educator; lawyer

Founded The Provincial Freeman in 1853, becoming the first Black woman to edit and publish a newspaper in North America, using the Canadian weekly to promote Black emigration, integration, and self-reliance during the era of the Fugitive Slave Act

Press & Photography — collage image
Press & Photography

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Quick facts

Born
1823, Wilmington, Delaware
Active since
1853
Category
Press & Photography
Best known for
First Black woman to edit and publish a newspaper in North America

Impact on the world

Cary opened the masthead of the North American press to Black women and used her paper to promote emigration, integration, and self-reliance during the perilous era of the Fugitive Slave Act.

Sources

  1. Encyclopædia Britannica

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