Sojourner Truth Billy Foshay, Jeremy Picard, Jake Buccarelli

Early Life

Born in Ulcer County NY around 1797

Named Isabella Baumfree

One of thirteen children

Sold away from her family at the age of 9

Sold a total of four times

Biographical continued

Married an older slave named Thomas

Had four children (Peter, James, Elizabeth, Sophia)

1799 NY began gradual abolition of slaves

Sojourner escaped at dawn, with her infant daughter Sophia

Inspired to preach, changed her name to sojourner

Joined association, Anti-Slavery, religiously tolerant, woman’s rights

1850 published narrative

1854, made “Ain’t I a woman?” speech at Ohio convention

“I DID NOT RUN OFF, FOR I THOUGHT THAT WICKED, BUT I WALKED OFF, BELIEVING THAT TO BE ALL

RIGHT”

“Ain’t I a Woman?”

“...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?...”

Later Life

Joined several groups against slavery and for woman’s rights

Met president Lincoln

Continued to help soldiers after civil war

Helped fight for free slaves in the west

Died from ulcers November 26, 1883 (83)

Abolitionists Movement

a political and social movement to end slavery

gained support that slavery was morally wrong after American Revolution

well known supporters

Benjamin Franklin

Thomas Paine

Marquis de Lafayette

Papers such as north star published by Fredrick Douglas

Women’s Rights Movement

The movement toward equal freedom and rights for women

Woman began fighting for equality with men

Many groups for:

Higher education

Property rights

Custody rights

Voting rights

Contributions

Northampton Association of Education and Industry

The Narrative of Sojourner Truth: A Northern Slave

Ohio Convention “Ain’t I woman” speech

Progressive Friends

Worked during civil war to support abolition

The Freedman’s Relief Association

Campaigned for free land in west for slaves

Spoke in white and black churches

Effects of Contributions

Helped woman’s rights and abolitionists groups develop

Gave woman a voice through speeches and books

Proved Women could do man’s job

Freed Slaves began to move west and north

Recognition

Memorial Stone in Monument Park

National Women’s Hall Of Fame

1986 Postage stamp

Sojourner Truth Memorial Highway (Michigan)

Historical Grave Marker