Lucy Stone was an advocate for the abolitionist movement as well as the women's movement.She spoke out against slavery during a time when women were discouraged to speak openly about political issues. She actively worked on getting the 13th Amendment passed. Her strong ideals about suffrage and equal rights made her an important figure in the abolitionist movement.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was an abolitionist who also fought for women's rights. Although she supported the passage of the 13th Amendment, she did not support the passage of the 15th Amendment because she thought it was unfair that black men received the right to vote before women. Stanton also participated in the temperance movement.

Lucretia Mott was a Quaker, an abolitionist, and an advocate for women's rights. Her religious beliefs fueled her opposition to slavery. She became a minister and used her sermons to promote her anti-slavery views. She was a member of the American Anti-Slavery Society.

William Lloyd Garrison was the editor of the abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator. He was one of the founders of the American Anti-Slavery Society; he advocated for the immediate emancipation of slaves in the United States.

Wendell Phillips was a famous orator and abolitionist who advocated for equal rights for slaves and American Indians. He left his law practice to become a member of the American Anti-Slavery Society after watching a lynch mob attempt to hang William Lloyd Garrison, who spoke out against slavery. Phillips became known for making stirring speeches that furthered the causes of the abolitionist movement.

Frederick Douglass escaped slavery and later became one of the leading abolitionists. His oratory and writing skills defied the notion that slaves were ignorant and unable to be educated. He proved that slaves could be successful contributing American citizens. Douglass published his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, although he risked his own freedom in the process.

One of the most famous and controversial abolitionists was John Brown. Brown believed the only way to eradicate slavery was by violently overthrowing the system. In 1858, Brown enlisted a small army of others who believed as he did. The group attacked a federal arsenal to steal supplies for a slave rebellion. Although he was captured and hung, he was seen as an anti-slavery icon.