A Voice from the South

First published in 1892, 'A Voice from the South' is a collection of essays focusing on racial progress and women's rights by Anna Julia Cooper (1858-1964), an American author, educator, sociologist, speaker, Black liberation activist, and one of the most distinguished African-American scholars in United States history. A noted member of Washington, D.C.'s African-American community, Anna Julia Cooper rose to prominence as a leading scholar, educator, and activist at the end of the nineteenth century. Born into slavery, she was the fourth African-American woman to earn a doctoral degree, receiving a Ph.D. in history from the University of Paris-Sorbonne in 1924. It is regarded as the first statement of black feminism. Despite their imprint on nineteenth-century social thought, these essays possess an urgent, modern tone, characterized by a focus on debate and a scintillating wit. Topics include the importance of women's education as well as African Americans' economic roles and their literary representation.