Sojourner Truth, born Isabella Baumfree in 1797, transcended the confines of an enslaved person to become an indomitable force in the abolitionist and women's rights movements of the 19th century. Escaping slavery in 1826, she embarked on a transformative journey, adopting the name Sojourner Truth in 1843 to reflect her mission as a teller of truth and an itinerant preacher.
Known for her powerful oratory and unwavering commitment to justice, Truth became an influential advocate for the abolition of slavery and women's rights. Her most famous speech, "Ain't I a Woman?" delivered at the 1851 Women's Rights Convention in Ohio, challenged prevailing notions of gender and race, highlighting the intersectionality of oppression faced by Black American women.
In 1850, Truth dictated her memoir, "The Narrative of Sojourner Truth," providing a firsthand account of her life and the brutal realities of slavery. She collaborated with prominent abolitionists like Frederick Douglassand William Lloyd Garrison, leaving her indelible mark on the fight against systemic injustice.
The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.
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Sojourner Truth