To Make the World Better: The Woman's Era and Intersectionality in Turn of the Century Black Press Publications

Abstract

This thesis explores The Woman’s Era, the first national newspaper owned, managed, and published by and for African American women. Built upon traditions of Black journalism, literature, and community uplift throughout the century, African American clubwomen carved out a space in a male-dominated field that often resisted their presence. From March 1894 to January 1897, contributors and readers from across the nation shared their thoughts and activities relating to African American social concerns of the late nineteenth century. Drawing from their own experience with both gendered and racial oppression, African American clubwomen combated social ills through community building and social action in a time of ever-increasing racial violence and political, economic, and social discrimination. This thesis showcases the vital role of The Woman’s Era as a platform for African American women’s voices, and details how the newspaper expanded and enhanced opportunities to uplift club women and their communities through gender and racial work.