Public Universal Friend

This episode is about the life and teachings of the Public Universal Friend, an influential American preacher born Jemima Wilkinson. We're discussing their early life, including their Quaker upbringing and disownment, before focusing on their self-proclaimed reanimation as a genderless evangelist following a severe illness in 1776.We then elaborate on the Public Universal Friend's beliefs, such as their advocacy for free will and opposition to slavery, and the formation of the Society of Universal Friends, a community noted for empowering women and establishing settlements in Western New York. Finally, we will cover the legal challenges faced by the Friend and the Society, the Friend's death, and various historical and modern interpretations of their identity, including perspectives on their role in women's rights and transgender history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.