Laura Smith Haviland (1808–1898) was an American social reformer, suffragette, and abolitionist. She notably played an important role in the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses created in the United States during the early to the mid-19th century for use by African American slaves in order to escape into free states or Canada. First published in 1882, "A Woman''s Life-Work" contains several stories exploring black-white relationships before the emancipation, together with a slave narrative from "Uncle Philip". She provides gritty descriptions of the abuse slaves were subjected to, as well as descriptions of the prisons, soup kitchens, refugee camps, and hospitals during the war. Contents include: "He had his Dream by Paul Laurence Dunbar", "Preface", "Early Life", "Bereavements", "Anti-Slavery Experiences", "An Ohio School-Teacher", "The Underground Railway", "Fugitive Slaves Assisted", "Christian and Educational Work", "Fugitives in Canada", "Rescue of Slaves", etc. Brilliant Women are proudly republishing this classic book in a brand new edition complete with an introductory poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar.
