No. 56: Grace Wisher
Episode Transcript
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What if I told you that the young woman who helped craft one of the most iconic symbols of American independence—the Star-Spangled Banner—wasn't the seamstress we always hear about, but a 13-year-old indentured servant of African descent? Meet Grace Wisher, a name that will no longer be a footnote in American history.
Hey everyone, it’s Shae, PhD candidate at Harvard, bringing you another story from 100 Historic Black Women You Should Know By Election Day. Today, we’re diving into the life of Grace Wisher, a girl who had her hands on history in more ways than one.
Grace Wisher was born around 1800 in Maryland, a time when opportunities for young Black girls were limited. At just 13, she was indentured to Mary Pickersgill, the famous flagmaker who sewed the enormous Star-Spangled Banner that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. While Pickersgill’s name is the one that history remembers, Wisher's contribution to this monumental task has often been overlooked.
As an indentured servant, Grace was bound to work for Pickersgill, learning skills like flagmaking and needlework. Though her experiences while indentured are yet to be fully known, records show she worked alongside Pickersgill when the flag was created in 1813. The fact that she, a young Black girl, had a hand in crafting such a vital symbol of American resilience is a testament to the overlooked contributions of Black women in shaping the nation.
Grace Wisher’s story is emblematic of the complexities of early 19th-century America—an era when Black women, whether enslaved or free, were integral to the country’s foundation but were rarely credited for their labor or achievements. Wisher’s life was marked by hard work, limited freedom, and the invisibility that often came with being a Black woman in a young republic struggling with its own contradictions.
I truly love sharing stories like this because I have a very simple mission to make sure black women are no longer treated like the footnotes of history. Every time you share this podcast and rate it 5 stars you’re helping to further this mission. Make sure you’re following me on social media and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more engaging content. These stories deserve to be heard by everyone! Let’s keep these remarkable women in the spotlight!
