Charlotte Louise Bridges Forten Grimké (1837-1914) was an abolitionist, activist, poet, and educator who is celebrated as the first Black woman to graduate from Salem State University and to teach in Salem Public Schools.
Born in Philadelphia to prominent abolitionist parents Robert and Virginia (Woods) Forten, Charlotte moved to Salem at 16 after being denied admission to Philadelphia’s White schools. She studied at Higginson Grammar School and the Salem Normal School (now Salem State University), later teaching at Eppes and Higginson Grammar Schools. During her years in Salem, Charlotte kept journals that documented her experiences and provided insight into who she was. She wrote of her enjoyment of the ocean, nature walks, and skating parties. In one of these journals, Charlotte describes her school days in Salem as “the happiest of my life… I have been fortunate enough to receive the instruction of the best and kindest teachers; and the few friends I have made are warm and true.”
Beyond studying and teaching, Charlotte was a writer and a poet. She joined abolitionist communities in Salem and Boston, including the Salem Female Anti-Slavery Society. Many of her writings were published in local and regional papers. Through her writings, we can begin to understand her lived experiences, to see and explore Salem through her eyes, and learn how she forged a lasting legacy.
Visit Charlotte’s Salem:
Remond Family Residence (Flint Street, Formerly Dean Street): Charlotte’s first residence in Salem from 1853–1857.
Higginson Grammer School (Broad Street): The first school Charlotte attended as a student and was later hired there as a teacher.
Salem Normal School (Now Salem State University) (Broad Street): Charlotte continued her studies here, eventually serving as the school’s first Black graduate.
Eppes Grammar School (Aborn Street Court): Charlotte’s first teaching position in 1856.
Lyceum Hall (Church Street): A public hall where Charlotte attended local anti-slavery meetings.
Salem Harbor: Charlotte’s journals document her love of visiting the harbor and long walks by the ocean.
Harmony Grove: Charlotte often went for walks here, as well as in nearby pastures.
Charlotte Forten Park: Home of The Moving Spirit of Love, a life-size bronze statue commissioned by the City of Salem in honor of Charlotte Forten Grimké’s incredible life and enduring legacy, positioned on the banks of one of the many rivers of Salem that Charlotte loved to walk.
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Written for the Special Edition 2026 Salem 400+ Visitor Guide – get yours here!
Tags: Black history, Charlotte Forten, Culture, History, Outdoor
