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For this topic, I wish to write on the difference in roles between African women and African-American women who were enslaved. It was much more difficult to find sources for the African women, however, it was fairly easy to find sources for African-American women. There are many depictions of slave women in the form of images, and a few in text form.
“Slave Woman,” Antebellum South, Photograph, University of Georgia Libraries through New Georgia Encyclopedia
This depicts a slave woman doing a traditionally female role, which is washing the clothing. It shows female slaves did a multitude of roles, including more traditional gender roles.
“Slave Women Cultivating A Village Garden,” Central Africa, Print, University of Virginia Library
This depicts women working in Africa doing similar roles to those they did in the Americas. It also only depicts women, and it depicts them in their more traditional African attire.
“Inspection Roll of Negroes Book No. 1,” 4/23/1793 – 9/1793, National Archives Catalog
This depicts an inspection roll of Africans who were forced into slavery. It discusses men as well as women, however, it makes notes of each woman’s physical attributes. It shows how female slaves were valued, and why they were valued that way.
Pierre Havens, “Slave Family,” 1850’s, Photograph, New York Historical Society through New Georgia Encyclopedia
This depicts a slave family picking cotton outside of Savannah. It includes the whole family, and shows both young girls and their mother working alongside men.
Henry Byam Martin, “Slave Market,” 1833, Pen and Ink Drawing, Library and Archives Canada through New Georgia Encyclopedia
This depicts a slave market in Charleston South Carolina in 1833. The text depicts “‘The land of the free & home of the brave.”
“Slave Women in a Cotton Field,” Antebellum South, Print, Digital Library of Georgia through New Georgia Encyclopedia
This depicts slave women working in a field, without the overwhelming presence of men. It also shows young girls working as well alongside older women.
Harriet Jacobs, “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl,” 1861
This is a memoir written by Harriet Jacobs, herself a slave, about her experiences with slavery. It explores the struggles that she, as well as other female slaves, had to deal with as female slaves on plantations. It is one of the only written memoirs by a female slave about her experiences.