Dozens gathered at the ROC SALT Center on Ashland Street in Rochester Sunday afternoon to hear the story of Anna Murray-Douglass, Frederick Douglass' first wife.

"There were plenty of good times and a lot of bad times," said Rose O'Keefe, a local historian.

O'Keefe explained that the two met in Baltimore in the 1830s where she inspired him to escape slavery.

"He learned to play the violin. She played the violin. They collected sheet music. They had certain things they had in common — coming from the eastern shore, their love of music, their love of learning," O'Keefe said.

The two married, had five children and eventually moved to Rochester.

O'Keefe pointed out that throughout their marriage, Anna shouldered the burden of the stress that came with Douglass' life as an abolitionist.

She also established a waypoint on the Underground Railroad.

"There are stories about her having all of his clothes pressed and ready to go so when they were either in, I believe it's in linden that their house is by the railroad tracks, and the train would slow down as it came into linden and she would rush out with freshly pressed clothes. She was adamant about him being well dressed," O'Keefe said.

While not as well-known as Frederick, O'Keefe believes it's important to never forget what Anna accomplished.

"Anna Murray-Douglass was totally competent, articulate, opinionated, intelligent woman who was typical for her time. Competent, functioning adults didn't necessarily know how to read when she was born in the 1820s and 30s and she was a complete success as a wife and mother and that's never ever to be devalued," O'Keefe explained.