African American theologian Stewart (1803-79) may have been the first American woman of any race to give a political speech before an audience of both men and women and to have left copies of
her remarks to posterity, says Cooper (religious studies, U. of Virginia). She was born free in Connecticut, and delivered five speeches in Boston and New York between 1831 and 1833 that were
published with other writings by her in 1835 and 1879 as Productions of Mrs. Maria W. Stewart. Though the speeches were highly political, Cooper argues that they are also deeply theological,
and shows how they use the Bible extensively to buttress Stewart's arguments on behalf of blacks' and women's rights and empowerment. Annotation 穢2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
(booknews.com)
