One of the first African-American women to be published in the United States, especially for novels (Iola Leroy, 1892), Frances Ellen Watkins Harper was a poet, an abolitionnist and a suffragist. Very popular and prolific writer, she died at age 85, nine years before women gained the right to vote.

We may sigh o'er the heavy burdens Of the black, the brown and white; But if we all clasped hands together The burdens would be more light. How to solve life's saddest problems, Its weariness, want and woe, Was answered by One who suffered In Palestine long ago. He gave from his heart this precept, To ease the burdens of men, "As ye would that others do to you Do ye even so to them." Life's heavy, wearisome burdens Will change to a gracious trust When men shall learn in the light of God To be merciful and just. Where war has sharpened his weapons,