Sojourner Truth

About

Sojourner Truth, born Isabella Baumfree around 1797 in Swartekill, New York, was a pivotal figure in American history. Born into slavery, she endured numerous hardships, including being sold multiple times and separated from her family. In 1826, she escaped with her infant daughter to seek freedom. Truth became the first African American woman to win a court case against a white man when she sued for the return of her son Peter in 1828. She later moved to New York City, where she joined the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and began her journey as a preacher and activist. Truth's activism spanned abolition, women's rights, temperance, and civil rights. Her most famous speech, "Ain't I a Woman?", delivered in 1851 at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention, challenged racial and gender inequalities. She continued to advocate for social justice throughout her life, supporting the Union during the Civil War and lobbying for land grants for freed slaves. Her autobiography, published in 1850, further highlighted her experiences and dedication to her causes. Sojourner Truth passed away on November 26, 1883, leaving behind a legacy as a powerful voice for equality and justice.