Playing an influential role in the religious, social and political life of America, Quakers have been prominent in anti-slavery, civil rights and women’s rights movements, and have also been strong advocates for world peace.
America’s long list of Quaker activists includes William Penn, Alice Paul and Susan B. Anthony, among many others. Despite the significance of their social role, members of this denomination have largely remained out of the spotlight – although two presidents, Herbert Hoover and Richard Nixon, came from quaker backgrounds. Quakers: The Quiet Revolutionaries (Thursday 25th, 8.30pm) charts the rich history of Quakerism, from its founding in 17th century England as the Religious Society of Friends, to its spread to America and beyond, and examines its past, present and future.
