Sojourner Truth: The American Abolitionist and Women’s Rights Activist

Feeling a divine calling to spread hope beyond the confines of urban life, Truth adopted the name "Sojourner Truth" in 1843, symbolizing her journey of faith and activism. One of her most renowned moments came during the Ohio Women's Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio, in 1851. Her impactful speech, known as "Ain't I a Woman?" gained widespread acclaim during the Civil War era, despite being later rewritten in a Southern dialect, contrasting Truth's New York origins where Dutch was her first language.

Throughout the Civil War, Truth played a crucial role in recruiting black soldiers for the Union Army. Post-war, she fervently advocated for the fulfillment of the promised "forty acres and a mule" land grants for formerly enslaved individuals, albeit unsuccessfully. Until her passing, Truth remained a tireless advocate for the rights of both women and African Americans, challenging prevailing societal norms. As noted by her biographer Nell Irvin Painter, Truth's legacy transcends mere historical significance, serving as a reminder that black women are an integral part of both African American and women's histories.