Trust me that as I ignore all law to help the slave, so will I ignore it all to protect an enslaved woman.

Susan B. Anthony’s quote, "Trust me that as I ignore all law to help the slave, so will I ignore it all to protect an enslaved woman," reflects her unwavering commitment to justice and equality for all oppressed individuals, particularly women and enslaved people. By stating that she would ignore the law to protect the enslaved, Anthony emphasizes her belief that the laws of society were unjust when they sanctioned the enslavement of people, particularly Black men and women. Her statement expresses a moral imperative to act in defiance of unjust laws in order to uphold a higher sense of humanity and rights.

The quote also draws a parallel between the struggle for the abolition of slavery and the fight for women’s rights, highlighting how both causes were deeply connected in Anthony’s activism. She was a staunch abolitionist and women’s suffragist, and this quote demonstrates her commitment to intersectional justice—the idea that the oppression of one group cannot be separated from the oppression of another. Anthony’s advocacy for the rights of enslaved people and women was rooted in her belief that gender and race were both critical factors in determining one’s freedom and dignity.

The origin of this quote can be traced to Anthony’s work as an activist during the mid-19th century, particularly in her fight for both abolition and women's suffrage. She was heavily involved in the abolitionist movement, working alongside other prominent figures like Frederick Douglass, and she saw the liberation of enslaved people as closely tied to the broader struggle for women's rights. This quote reflects her radical stance in the fight against oppression, where she prioritized moral action over the letter of the law when it came to issues of freedom and equality.

Ultimately, Anthony’s statement is a powerful declaration of her commitment to social justice and human rights. She positions herself as willing to take bold, even illegal actions to liberate those oppressed by the law, particularly enslaved women. The quote highlights her belief that true justice requires not just adherence to laws, but a deep moral conviction to fight for the rights and freedoms of those who are marginalized.