Painting: Mary Bibb
Painting
Image
Video
Audio
Activities
LOOK
Look at the portrait of Mary and her husband, Henry. What do you notice? Did you know that it is virtually impossible to find a photo of Mary without her husband? What does that tell you about the place of women, and especially women of colour, in the early 19th century?
THINK
- How did Mary Bibb’s role as an educator and her founding of a school for Black children challenge racial segregation and contribute to the advancement of civil rights in the 19th century?
- In what ways did Voice of the Fugitive, the newspaper launched by Mary and Henry Bibb, serve as a powerful tool for communication, advocacy, and information-sharing during the abolitionist movement, and how did it affect the resettlement of former slaves in Canada?
DO
Consider one aspect of Mary Bibb’s contributions (education, activism or journalism).
With a peer, discuss the following:
- What was the impact of her involvement in (put aspect of her contribution here). For example, “What was the impact of forming a school for Black Canadian children who weren’t allowed access to education?”
- How did her actions help shape the course of Canadian history?
- What are some societal factors that prevent her story from being more widely told?
Details
Date 
Materials Historical Context
Choose one of the three levels below to match your needs.
- This is a portrait of Mary Elizabeth Bibb and her husband, Henry.
- Mary Elizabeth Bibb was a U.S.-born schoolteacher who is considered by some to be Canada’s first Black journalist.
- She and her husband Henry, a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement, founded a school for Black children after they moved to Windsor, Ontario.
- In 1851, they launched Voice of the Fugitive, a newspaper that played a crucial role in communicating with Underground Railroad supporters and the wider public.
This is a portrait of Mary Elizabeth Bibb and her husband, Henry.
Mary Elizabeth Bibb (née Miles) was born in Rhode Island around 1820. She trained as a schoolteacher and in 1847 married Henry Bibb, a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement.
After moving to Windsor, Ontario, they founded a school for Black children who were not allowed to attend the public schools.
They also launched a newspaper called Voice of the Fugitive in 1851, which was an important means of communicating with Underground Railroad supporters and provided valuable information for the resettlement of former slaves and free Black Americans in Ontario.
Bibb’s legacy endures as an educator and advocate for social justice. Her contributions to the fight against slavery and her efforts to promote equality continue to be celebrated and acknowledged.
This is a portrait of Mary Elizabeth Bibb and her husband, Henry.
Mary Elizabeth Bibb (née Miles) was born in Rhode Island around 1820. She trained as a schoolteacher and in 1847 married Henry Bibb, a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement who lived in Detroit.
In 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act was passed in the United States, which made it unsafe for Henry, a former slave, to stay in Detroit. He and Bibb moved to Ontario, to Windsor (called Sandwich at the time).
They founded a school for Black children who were not allowed to attend public schools. The schoolchildren were taught by Bibb.
Henry and Bibb also started a newspaper, Voice of the Fugitive, in January 1851. It was an important means of communicating with Underground Railroad supporters and the general public, and provided useful information for the newly settled former enslaved and free Black Americans in Ontario.
Bibb is considered by many to be Canada’s first Black journalist, and she used her platform to promote ideas of equality and abolitionism. Her legacy as an educator and social justice advocate endure to this day.
- This is a portrait of Mary Elizabeth Bibb and her husband, Henry.
- Mary Elizabeth Bibb was a U.S.-born schoolteacher who is considered by some to be Canada’s first Black journalist.
- She and her husband Henry, a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement, founded a school for Black children after they moved to Windsor, Ontario.
- In 1851, they launched Voice of the Fugitive, a newspaper that played a crucial role in communicating with Underground Railroad supporters and the wider public.
This is a portrait of Mary Elizabeth Bibb and her husband, Henry.
Mary Elizabeth Bibb (née Miles) was born in Rhode Island around 1820. She trained as a schoolteacher and in 1847 married Henry Bibb, a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement.
After moving to Windsor, Ontario, they founded a school for Black children who were not allowed to attend the public schools.
They also launched a newspaper called Voice of the Fugitive in 1851, which was an important means of communicating with Underground Railroad supporters and provided valuable information for the resettlement of former slaves and free Black Americans in Ontario.
Bibb’s legacy endures as an educator and advocate for social justice. Her contributions to the fight against slavery and her efforts to promote equality continue to be celebrated and acknowledged.
This is a portrait of Mary Elizabeth Bibb and her husband, Henry.
Mary Elizabeth Bibb (née Miles) was born in Rhode Island around 1820. She trained as a schoolteacher and in 1847 married Henry Bibb, a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement who lived in Detroit.
In 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act was passed in the United States, which made it unsafe for Henry, a former slave, to stay in Detroit. He and Bibb moved to Ontario, to Windsor (called Sandwich at the time).
They founded a school for Black children who were not allowed to attend public schools. The schoolchildren were taught by Bibb.
Henry and Bibb also started a newspaper, Voice of the Fugitive, in January 1851. It was an important means of communicating with Underground Railroad supporters and the general public, and provided useful information for the newly settled former enslaved and free Black Americans in Ontario.
Bibb is considered by many to be Canada’s first Black journalist, and she used her platform to promote ideas of equality and abolitionism. Her legacy as an educator and social justice advocate endure to this day.
Summary
- This is a portrait of Mary Elizabeth Bibb and her husband, Henry.
- Mary Elizabeth Bibb was a U.S.-born schoolteacher who is considered by some to be Canada’s first Black journalist.
- She and her husband Henry, a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement, founded a school for Black children after they moved to Windsor, Ontario.
- In 1851, they launched Voice of the Fugitive, a newspaper that played a crucial role in communicating with Underground Railroad supporters and the wider public.
Essential
This is a portrait of Mary Elizabeth Bibb and her husband, Henry.
Mary Elizabeth Bibb (née Miles) was born in Rhode Island around 1820. She trained as a schoolteacher and in 1847 married Henry Bibb, a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement.
After moving to Windsor, Ontario, they founded a school for Black children who were not allowed to attend the public schools.
They also launched a newspaper called Voice of the Fugitive in 1851, which was an important means of communicating with Underground Railroad supporters and provided valuable information for the resettlement of former slaves and free Black Americans in Ontario.
Bibb’s legacy endures as an educator and advocate for social justice. Her contributions to the fight against slavery and her efforts to promote equality continue to be celebrated and acknowledged.
In-Depth
This is a portrait of Mary Elizabeth Bibb and her husband, Henry.
Mary Elizabeth Bibb (née Miles) was born in Rhode Island around 1820. She trained as a schoolteacher and in 1847 married Henry Bibb, a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement who lived in Detroit.
In 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act was passed in the United States, which made it unsafe for Henry, a former slave, to stay in Detroit. He and Bibb moved to Ontario, to Windsor (called Sandwich at the time).
They founded a school for Black children who were not allowed to attend public schools. The schoolchildren were taught by Bibb.
Henry and Bibb also started a newspaper, Voice of the Fugitive, in January 1851. It was an important means of communicating with Underground Railroad supporters and the general public, and provided useful information for the newly settled former enslaved and free Black Americans in Ontario.
Bibb is considered by many to be Canada’s first Black journalist, and she used her platform to promote ideas of equality and abolitionism. Her legacy as an educator and social justice advocate endure to this day.