Struggling was something slave woman knew all too well.
African American slave women were not really affected by the movements of the nineteenth century since they were, still in fact, the property of someone else. The roles slave women played within the plantations were, however, of much more significance than any responsibility Anglo women held during that time. .
Slave women performed many jobs that males also were accustomed to such as carrying and spreading manure as fertilizer, hoeing the fields, and carrying wood. In addition to these responsibilities, women of the plantations took on jobs that were strictly considered female work like cooking, sewing, weaving, and midwifery.
The important aspect of these additional jobs was that they offered the women a chance to increase their respect and status among other slaves and the slave owner.2.
Excelling at a task offered some women slaves opportunities others could not receive. An exceptional seamstress might sew clothes for her master to sell, sometimes retaining a bit of the profit she made for him. Midwifery was difficult and took several years to learn, but once a woman was able to assist in childbirth, she often found herself helping in many other areas. Midwives responsibilities usually extended to caring for men and children, as well as pregnant women. In fact, the majority of a slave's medical care was provided by these women slaves.3 Not every female slave had such opportunities, though. .
Many spent their existence in the fields from sunup to sundown, where the teachings of their youngest daughters took place. Some larger plantations had groups of women called "trash gangs." These were made up primarily of children being introduced to plantation labor, pregnant women, and elderly members of the slave population. With such a difference in age amongst members of "trash gangs," many lessons on life, religion, and culture were passed down to the youngest of the female slaves.