Famous suffragists Sarah and Angelina Grimke (as recreated by Susan Lenoe and Lani Peterson)

THE GRIMKE SISTERS

"You took us to a distant time and place...The enactment was so totally convincing that soon the audience forgot that they were listening to two friends from Massachusetts; two storytellers who had done thorough research on the subject of the day and the nature of the two women's personalities."

Peg O'Sullivan

Join storytellers Susan Lenoe and Lani Peterson in this dramatic and interactive “parlour meeting” portrayal of Sarah and Angelina Grimke.

As the first women to address a state (Massachusetts) legislature, the Grimke sisters fearlessly traveled across New England and New York, advocating human rights in the decades leading up to the Civil War. 

These courageous sisters from South Carolina deeply influenced the abolitionist cause and lay the groundwork for the budding suffragette movement. 

Set in the aftermath of the Philadelphia riots and burning of Pennsylvania Hall in 1838, Susan and Lani as Sarah and Angelina Grimke bring to life these forgotten heroines who witnessed first hand the horrors of slavery.

“Powerful! Living history with significant relevance for our times.”

Juliet Mofford, Former Director of Education and Research
       Andover Historical Society

 

The Grimke Sisters:

TURNING THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN...

with Lani Peterson and Susan Lenoe had the distinction of being chosen to perform at the National Endowment for the Humanities Colloquium on the American Lyceum movement in May of 2007.*

This innovation series of workshops was presented two weeks in a row at original Lyceum siges in Concord, Salem, Millbury, and Worcester. The attendees, college teachers from all over the United States, gave extremely high marks to the Grimke program. Northeastern Professor Richard Katula, workshop director, wrote: "You played a significant role in the overall success of the workshop. Thanks for the wonderful performances."

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*The full name of the NEH Workshop: The American Lyceum and Public Culture; the Oratory of Idealism, Opportunity, and Abolition sponsored by Northeastern University. The session called "Women of the Lyceum" was held at Mechanics Hall in Worcester and featured Lani Peterson and Susan Lenoe as Angelina and Sarah Grimke, the prominent southern abolitionists, as well as noted storyteller Judith Black as Lucy Stone.

Susan Lenoe, left, and Lani Peterson as Sarah and Angelina Grimke