Sojourner Truth
(c.1797-1883)
WHO SHE WAS:
Sojourner Truth was an African American abolitionist and women's rights activist. Born into slavery as Isabella Baumfree, she escaped with her infant daughter to freedom in 1826. After going to court to recover her son, she became the first black woman to win such a case against a white man. She changed her name to Sojourner Truth in 1843 and became widely known for her oration skills, advocating for civil and women's rights.
WHAT SHE SAID:
"I am not going to die, I'm going home like a shooting star."
WHY SHE MATTERED:
Truth is a monumental figure in American history, symbolizing the strength and potential of change within oppressed individuals. Her famous speech, "Ain't I a Woman?" delivered in 1851, challenged prevailing notions of racial and gender inferiority and advocated for equality. Her life and work have inspired countless individuals in the fight for justice and equality.