American slavery wasn’t just a white man’s business − white women profited, too

Human bondage was big business in the antebellum US, and men weren’t the only ones cashing in.

By: Trevon Logan, The Ohio State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: August 1, 2026

Words: 936

Last Updated: 2 days, 6 hours ago

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By Trevon Logan, The Ohio State University

As the United States continues to confront the realities and legacy of slavery, Americans continue to challenge myths about the country’s history. One enduring myth is that slavery was a largely male endeavor — that, for the most part, the buying, selling, trading and profiting from enslavement were carried out by white men alone.

While white women certainly interacted with enslaved people in household management and day-to-day tasks, …

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