The Badge Archive

Beauty Icon Bio: Public Universal Friend

Name: Public Universal Friend (born Jemima Wilkinson)
Time Period: 1752–1819
Region: United States (New England, Mid-Atlantic, Western New York)

Appearance
The Public Universal Friend was known for their androgynous presentation and commanding presence.

  • They had fine black hair, dark eyes, and a strong, athletic build from years of horseback riding.
  • Their voice was described as clear and harmonious by some, and haunting or sepulchral by others.
  • They wore long black clerical robes, wide-brimmed hats, and white or purple cravats, rejecting gendered fashion.
  • They refused gendered pronouns and responded only to their chosen name, often quoting scripture when asked about their identity.

Their appearance challenged 18th-century norms.

Style
The Friend’s style was deliberate, symbolic, and revolutionary.

  • They dressed in a blend of masculine and feminine garments: vests, neckties, flowing robes, and skirts.
  • Their hair was short on top with ringlets in the back, further blurring gender expectations.
  • They avoided accessories associated with either gender, choosing simplicity and spiritual symbolism.
  • Their clothing reflected their belief in divine rebirth and rejection of worldly vanity.

Their style became a visual declaration of identity, belief, and resistance.

Reputation
The Friend was admired and criticized for their charisma, mystery, and radical theology.

  • After surviving a near-fatal illness in 1776, they claimed to have died and been reborn as a genderless messenger of God.
  • They preached across the northeastern U.S., attracting hundreds of followers known as the Universal Friends.
  • Critics accused them of fraud, while supporters saw them as a prophet or savior.
  • They founded the town of Jerusalem, NY, where women held leadership roles and gender norms were challenged.

Their reputation blended spiritual fervor, social disruption, and enduring intrigue.

Cultural Impact
The Public Universal Friend remains a powerful figure in religious, gender, and American history.

  • They were one of the earliest documented individuals in the U.S. to reject binary gender identity.
  • Their teachings emphasized free will, abolitionism, and sexual abstinence, but their followers were often viewed with suspicion and controversy.
  • They inspired feminist, queer, and religious scholars to reexamine early American identity.
  • Their legacy continues in discussions of gender fluidity, spiritual autonomy, and radical community-building.

Their cultural impact proves that beauty can be found in conviction, courage, and transformation.

Resources:

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Tia Kennard