Lost Fortunes II: The Wealthy Black Women Who Inherited Empires Before the Civil Rights Act—And Where Their Wealth Went (Part 18 of 28, The Forten Women)

In the first part of this series, Lost Fortunes, we celebrated Black women entrepreneurs and business owners who built empires before the Civil Rights Era marked by President Lyndon B. Johnson’s signing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964. These women were fearless innovators, trailblazers, and contributors to the economic growth of the nation. Among them are Amanda America Dickson, who inherited her wealth, and Henrieta Duterte, who built her own empire while also a member of a prominent New England family.

This second part of the series now focuses on Black women who were born into wealthy Black empires built before the Civil Rights Era, the families that created this wealth, and what happened to their fortunes.

The Forten Women of Philadelphia: A Legacy of Wealth, Commerce, and Social Justice (1800s–1900s)

The Forten family occupies a storied place in African American history, with three generations of Forten women—Charlotte Vandine Forten, Harriet Forten Purvis, and Charlotte Forten Grimké—standing at the forefront of the abolitionist movement, women’s suffrage, and the fight for racial equality. These women’s contributions spanned a century of activism, education, and social reform, leaving a profound impact on the struggle for freedom and justice in America.

From the abolition of slavery to the early Civil Rights Movement, the Forten women’s legacy is one of fierce determination, intellectual prowess, and unwavering commitment to the fight for equality.

“Oh, that I could do much towards bettering our condition. I will do all, all the very little that lies in my power, while life and strength last!” – Charlotte Forten Grimké

The Matriarch: Charlotte Vandine Forten (1785–1884)

The story of the Forten women begins with Charlotte Vandine Forten, a free Black woman born in Philadelphia. In 1806, she married James Forten, a free, wealthy African American businessman, inventor, and abolitionist born in 1766, who amassed his fortune through his thriving sailmaking business. Together, Charlotte and James Forten raised a family that would become deeply involved in the fight against slavery and for civil rights.

As a matriarch, Charlotte instilled in her children and grandchildren a sense of responsibility to uplift the African American community. Her home in Philadelphia became a hub of abolitionist activity, hosting prominent figures such as Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, and members of the Underground Railroad.

Charlotte’s legacy lived on through her daughters, who took up the mantle of activism and expanded the family’s influence in the fight for racial and gender equality.

Harriet Forten Purvis (1810–1875): The Abolitionist and Suffragist

The eldest daughter of Charlotte and James Forten, Harriet Forten Purvis was a passionate abolitionist and women’s rights advocate. Born into privilege as the daughter of one of the wealthiest African American families in Philadelphia, Harriet used her position to advocate for the liberation of enslaved people and the advancement of women’s rights.

Along with her husband, Robert Purvis, Harriet played a leading role in the Underground Railroad, helping countless enslaved individuals escape to freedom. She co-founded the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society in 1833, one of the first integrated women’s abolitionist organizations in the country. Harriet’s activism extended beyond abolition; she also fought for women’s suffrage and participated in the burgeoning women’s rights movement of the mid-19th century.

Harriet Forten Purvis was known for her fiery speeches, organizing skills, and unwavering dedication to justice. Her activism helped lay the groundwork for future generations of Black women to continue the struggle for equality.

Charlotte Forten Grimké (1837–1914): The Educator, Poet, and Activist

One of the most prominent members of the Forten family was Charlotte Forten Grimké, Harriet’s niece, who carried on the family’s legacy of activism, education, and social reform. Born into a life of privilege in Philadelphia, Charlotte Forten Grimké defied societal expectations by dedicating her life to the education and upliftment of African Americans.

During the Civil War, Charlotte Forten Grimké traveled to the Sea Islands of South Carolina to teach formerly enslaved people as part of the Port Royal Experiment, a radical effort to prepare freed African Americans for life after emancipation. Her journals from this period offer a rare and poignant glimpse into the lives of newly freed African Americans and the challenges they faced in the aftermath of slavery.

In addition to her work as an educator, Charlotte was a gifted poet and writer whose works were published in prominent abolitionist publications, including The Liberator and The Atlantic Monthly. Her writings reflected her commitment to justice and her belief in the transformative power of education.

After the Civil War, Charlotte Forten Grimké continued her activism, working alongside her husband, Francis James Grimké, a prominent minister and civil rights advocate. Together, they fought against racial discrimination and worked to improve the lives of African Americans during the Reconstruction era and beyond.

Decline of Wealth and Generational Challenges

Despite the Forten family’s early wealth and prominence, the financial prosperity of the Forten women declined over time. The economic opportunities available to African Americans during the post-Reconstruction era were limited by systemic racism, segregation, and disenfranchisement, making it difficult to preserve and transfer wealth across generations.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, members of the Forten family, including Charlotte Forten Grimké, struggled with financial insecurity. Charlotte’s teaching work, while vital and impactful, did not provide the financial stability she once knew. Many of her later years were marked by modest living, though her intellectual contributions and legacy remained immense.

Unlike families that were able to pass down wealth and property to future generations, the Forten women’s primary legacy was not material but intellectual, cultural, and social. Their activism, writings, and educational efforts laid the foundation for future generations of African American leaders, thinkers, and activists.

A Lasting Legacy: Pioneers of Progress and Change

The Forten women’s legacy is one of courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice. Through their work as abolitionists, suffragists, educators, and writers, they helped shape the course of American history and advance the cause of freedom and equality.

Their contributions continue to inspire new generations of activists, scholars, and educators who draw upon the Forten family’s legacy in the ongoing struggle for racial and gender justice. The Forten women remind us that true progress is often the result of generations of quiet, determined resistance and that the fight for justice is a legacy worth preserving and passing on.

In honoring the Forten women, we honor a legacy of courage, intellect, and unwavering commitment to the principles of equality and justice that continue to shape our world today.

This is a financial education series of The New Lavilla. Find us at Thenewlavilla.com and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-new-lavilla and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thenewlavilla/