Iola Leroy

Iola Leroy, published in 1892, is one of the first novels by an African American woman. Frances Ellen Watkins Harper tells the story of Iola, a young woman of mixed race who discovers her heritage after being sold into slavery. As Iola navigates her newfound identity and the post–Civil War South, Harper explores themes of race, gender, family, and social uplift. The novel advocates for education, racial unity, and women’s rights, marking a key work in African American and feminist literary history.