Josephine Sophia White was born in Hebron, Connecticut, on December 18, 1814, into a prominent New England family. At the age of twenty, Josephine married Charles Griffing. In 1842 they moved to Litchfield, Ohio, and had five daughters (two died in childhood).In Ohio, the Griffings were active members of the Western Anti-Slavery Society. They became traveling agents preaching "no union with slaveholders." Josephine began touring through the West; she became one of the most prolific anti-slavery lecturers in the area. Josephine wrote articles for the Anti Slavery Bugle. The Griffing family opened up their home as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Josephine worked as an agent for the Women's Loyal National League during the Civil War. This organization worked to outlaw slavery in every state.
When Josephine noticed the recently freed slaves' plight, especially those fleeing to Washington D.C., Josephine and her daughters moved there in 1864. Josephine became an agent for the National Freedmen's Relief Association of D.C. She opened up two schools for freedwomen. The schools would teach them marketable skills.
Josephine continued to work to aid freedpeople through the national Freedmen's Aid Association until her death.
Josephine was also a women's rights activist. She became involved with women's rights organizations during the 1850s. Josephine joined the Ohio Women's Rights Association and became its president in 1853. In 1866, she helped found the American Equal Rights Association and served as its first vice president. In 1867, Josephine became president of the District of Columbia Woman Suffrage Association. Later, she joined the National Woman Suffrage Association and served as the corresponding secretary.
Josephine was also active in the temperance movement.
On February 18, 1872, Josephine Sophia White Griffing died.