Sojourner Truth: "Aint I a Woman?"

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https://www.biography.com/people/sojourner-truth-9511284

As a former slave, Sojourner Truth dedicated her life to become one of the most iconic activist in the 19th century. While born into slavery, Sojourner was sold off multiple times, and abused by her slave owners. After escaping her life as a slave, she finally gained freedom, and became an activist for human rights, women's rights, and an abolitionist. Her famous speech "Ain't I a Woman?" read at the 1851 Ohio Women's Rights Convention, became a platform speaking out against the discrimination towards black women. Sojourner spent the rest of her life fighting against the injustices in society, and even got the attention of former president, Abraham Lincoln.

In 1797, Isabella Baumfree was born in Ulster, New York to her slave parents. At the age of 9 she was shortly sold off to John Neely for $100, including a herd of sheep. Neely abused Isabella regularly until she was sold off again. Isabella was auctioned a couple more times until she reached her last slave owner, John Dumont. By the age of 18 she was forced to marry another slave, who she bore five children with. At the turn of the early 19th century, the state of New York began to liberate slaves, but it took some time for the entire state be achieve their goal. Isabella escaped her life as a slave with her infant daughter, but had to leave her other children behind due to the slavery laws that were still in place. 

Isabella found refugee with the Van Wageners, who were an abolitionist couple. The Van Wageners had a huge impact on Isabella. Not only did they buy her freedom, but helped Isabella sue against her former slave owner, who illegally sold her son into slavery in Alabama. She was the first African American women to successfully sue a white man. She later reclaimed rights to her son. The Van Wageners also influenced Isabella spiritually, and later became a member of Christianity. Isabella used her faith as a platform to preach out against slavery and oppression. Isabella later changed her name to Sojourner Truth because she felt it was her duty to speak the truth about the injustices people were facing.

In 1844, Sojourner joined an organization called the Northampton Association. There she met Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison. Garrison inspired Sojourner to speak out against slavery, and through this created her autobiography, The Narrative of Sojourner Truth. She received recognition from countless activist who she later joined forces with. In 1851, Sojourner presented her speech, "Ain't I a Woman?", at the Ohio convention for women's rights. This speech was controversial because it talked about the intersubjectivity that black women face.

"Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into 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 my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say."  https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/sojtruth-woman.asp

During the civil war, Sojourner gained the attention of President Abraham Lincoln. She helped to recruit  black soldiers, and helped to get donations for this cause. After the war, Sojourner participated in the Freedmen's Bureau, and lobbied against segregation. In November of 1883, Sojourner passed away at her home in Michigan.

Sojourner's activism was crucial in the 19th century, and called out for equal right among all humans. She used her experience of being a former slave to talk speak out about the oppression committed against women, men, and people of color. She will always be a topic of discussion when talking about activism for humanity because of how much work she contributed. Sojourner is a historical figure in U.S history, and set the stage of equality for all peoples. 

Works Cited

•  Michals, Debra.  "Sojourner Truth."  National Women's History Museum. 2015.  www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sojourner-truth.
• Hisory Editors.com. "Sojourner Truth." History. 2009. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/sojourner-truth
• BiographyEditors.com. "Sojourner truth Biography. Biography. 2014. https://www.biography.com/people/sojourner-truth-9511284