Highgate Cemetery - Ernestine ROSE

Though the name may not ring a bell, this woman was one of the leading forces behind the women's right movement taking place within America.

She was an atheist, feminist, and abolitionist; this of course, within 19th century times, is probably the most unusual concoction for a woman to be, contrasting completely against the idealised lady. It can be said that Rose was the epitome of rebellion as religion, gender roles and slavery was an integral part of society not to be messed with. Especially by a woman.

So, of course, it was necessary for us to visit this historic woman 

Born on January 13, 1810, in Piotrkow, Poland, Ernestine Susmond Potowski was the daughter of a rabbi leading to her often studying Hebrew scriptures and Talmud with her father. Due to her birth within a high profile family, she was offered more education compared to the average woman. Even from a young age, Rose was a curious child, questioning things around her, even leading to her stating that she was a 'rebellious 5 years old'- she studied the texts of all the major religions, and concluded that they were oppressive and restrictive towards women. 

After the death of her mother, her father had arranged a marriage for her without the consent of his daughter at the mere age of 16 (that's the same age as us, I could never imagine being married in 5 years, let alone now!) Ernestine had refused her proposed husband and had fought to retain her inheritance from her mother. Rose travelled to the civil court, where she pleaded her own case herself (after pleading to her husband for release failed). The courts ruled in her favour, freeing her and ruling that she could retain the full inheritance she received from her mother. 

She later left her home alone at the age of 17, where she associated herself with controversial issues including those regarding women’s rights. She was also protesting a law that required non-native Jews to have local sponsors. she founded the Association of All Classes of All Nations and married a man during this time, although they both made it pretty clear their marriage was a civil contract and nothing to do with religion.

She later migrated with her husband to the US where she gave lectures around the country and discussed slavery, religion, and equality for women. she was described by a Maine newspaper reporter in1855 as “a female Atheist … a thousand times below a prostitute” (wow.) 

She continued her work  until she got ill, came back to England and advocate women’s suffrage over here. 

Her grave was fairly easy to locate and just looking at it makes me wonder; how satisfied would she be with the state of the world now?

To put it simply, this woman is awesome. She essentially had everyone against her morals and values yet she stood firm.

One of the most enlightening speeches I've read surrounding feminism is delivered by this woman; Ernestine Rose's speech at the Women's Rights Convention Worcester, Massachusetts discussing the inequalities marriages places towards women, which begins with the powerful words- 

 'From the cradle to the grave [woman] is subject to the power and  control of man. Father, guardian, or husband, one conveys her like some piece of merchandise over to the other.'

Much of the things discussed in her speech reminds me of the wise words spoken within Kate Chopins feminist novel 'The Awakening' which can be read here (this is an illegal copy oops), which similarly describes the hardships women face when entering into a marriage.