On May 24, 1833, the Connecticut General Assembly passed what became known as the Connecticut “Black Law,” a law designed to stop educator Prudence Crandall from teaching Black female students at her school in Canterbury, Connecticut. Crandall had opened one of the first schools in the United States dedicated to the education of Black girls, but many local residents opposed the school. The new law made it illegal to educate African American students from outside Connecticut without local permission. Crandall refused.

Margaret Fuller became an influential American teacher, writer, editor, journalist, and advocate for women’s rights. She argued that women deserved serious educational opportunities at a time when higher education was largely closed to them. She also led “Conversations,” organized discussions for women in Boston to share their ideas on women’s rights in society.