Anti-Slavery Sewing Society
From Ohio History Central
Elizabeth Coleman and Sarah Ernst organized African-American women into the Anti-Slavery Sewing Society in Cincinnati, Ohio. A number of abolitionist organizations emerged in Ohio prior to the Civil War. Most of those groups were made up of white members, but there were also African-American activists during this era. The society's members made new clothing for runaway slaves who were escaping on the Underground Railroad. Although this group was not focused directly on political issues, it performed an important service for runaways.