Sojourner
Truth
(1797-1883)
Sojourner
Truth was born into slavery, as Isabella Baumfree, in upstate New York. She
obtained her freedom in 1827 and moved to New York City. There she began to work
with organizations designed to assist women. [11] She later became a traveling
preacher and quickly developed a reputation as a powerful speaker. As a speaker,
Sojourner Truth became known for her quick wit and powerful presence. She would
never be intimidated. Because of her powerful speaking ability, independent
spirit and her six-foot frame, she was often accused of being a man. She ended
that in Silver Lake, Indiana when she exposed her breast to the audience that
accused her. [12]
Sojourner Truth lived a long and productive life. She spoke before
Congress and two presidents. Sojourner Truth is best remembered for a speech she
gave at a women's rights conference in 1851 where she noticed that no one was
addressing the rights of Black women. Her address reads in part:
“That
man over there says that say that woman needs to be helped over carriages, and
lifted over ditches and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me
into carriages, or over mud puddles, or gives me any best place. And ain't I a
woman? Look at me look at me arm! I have ploughed and planted and gathered into
barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman?"
As a black woman slave, she could not be feminine; she had no ownership
of her body and didn’t own any property. Sojourner Truth fought that one does
not have to be dainty, weak and helpless to be a woman.