Published for the first time in its century, this "meticulously edited contribution to the study of American women's diaries and late-19th-century women's and black history" (Kirkus Reviews) offers an intimate look at the hopes, thoughts and day-to-day life of the young woman who would later become the celebrated civil rights activist and antilynching crusader. 'DeCosta-Willis makes it possible to look back in a new way into the character of Wells and, more than that, into the daily life of African Americans a century ago.' —Chicago Tribune

'A unique look at the life of an independent, unmarried African-American woman coping with financial hardships, romantic entanglements, sexism and racism. A substantial contribution to African-American studies.' —Publishers Weekly

"Wells's diary, covering the period 18851887, is remarkable as it is one of the few diaries of an African-American woman from the late 19th century. DeCosta-Willis provides context and additional information.…A meticulously edited contribution to the study of American women's diaries and late-19th-century women's and black history."—Kirkus Reviews