Sojourner Truth Legend

Sojourner Truth came a long way before becoming an advocate in the abolition movement. Truth was a former slave and her original name before Sojourner truth was, Isabella Bomfree. Sojourner was freed from slavery when the state outlawed the practice in 1827. (This far by Faith) "In 1828, Isabella moved to New York City and soon thereafter became a preacher in the "perfectionist," or pentecostal tradition." As a preacher, along the way she met abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison and Fredrick Douglass. Garrison encouraged Truth to give speeches about slavery. Even though Sojourner was illiterate throughout her life she continued to speak at anti slavery rallies and conventions during the 1850s. She had an autobiography published called The

Isabella Baumfree was her real name, but she was known as Sojourner Truth. She was an African American born into slavery, but escaped to freedom in 1826. Years later, she joined the Northampton Association of Education and Industry. “Founded by abolitionists, the organization supported a broad reform agenda including women's rights and pacifism” “Sojourner Truth”. I included this to show how involved she was. She wanted to make a difference and the only way to do that was to get involved with the people who are in charge. She had strong beliefs supporting women’s rights. Abolition was one of the few changes she addressed throughout her life that she could actually witness happen. Sojourner Truth grew up in a place where everyone was not

Harriet Beecher Stowe, Phillis Wheatley, and Sojourner Truth were without a doubt, 3 very strong, powerful, and a unique group of intellectual women. Each woman ultimately had an undeniable force with being able to provide readers fascinating pieces of literature to inform their stories. They each lived in an era in history where equality was nonexistent. They were able to speak towards their own personal beliefs within their pieces of literature. Each displayed to their readers their different views, and even their different beliefs and personal thoughts towards slavery. Although they all spoke towards the same topic of slavery, they each shared very contrasting opinions towards the topic at hand.

Baym, Nina, and Robert S. Levine. "Sojourner Truth." The Norton Anthology of American Literature. New York: W.W. Norton, 2013. 775-76. Print.

Sojourner Truth was an extremely strong and courageous woman. She proceeded through many hardships and Truth even escaped the bondage from slavery. After that she spoke out for women’s rights and was even the first African American woman to take a white man to court and win. Throughout her eighty six years of life Sojourner Truth she stumbled through numerous hardships, escaped slavery, and spoke out on women’s rights.

Sojourner Truth was a woman filled with power through her connection with God. Truth was solely impacted by the events of experiencing a slave auction, and winning a trial in which she sued the master of her son

During the late 1840s, Sojourner acquired a reputation as a powerful speaker. Oliver Gilbert was a friend of the Benson’s and they reached out to him to help write Truth’s Narrative. He started making Truth’s narrative at Northampton and had it published by William Lloyd Garrison. A man by the name of Yerrinton printed Truth’s narrative. Truth was supported through donations and the sale of The Narrative of Sojourner Truth, originally published in Boston in 1850. Strangely, Truth sold her 128-page book for 25¢ per copy. Truth travelled for years at a time and surprisingly she was able to take care of herself, while only producing 25¢ for every book she sold.

" I feel safe in the midst of my enemies, for the truth is all powerful and will prevail." Said Sojourner Truth during one of her battles for freed slave rights. Truth was born as a slave in which after 30 years she escaped. After she dedicated her life to helping freed slaves get their rights along with women's rights. Sojourner Truth is a hero to not only women, but to everyone because she changed America for women and color people by being brave, determined, and Godly.

Sojourner Truth played a vital role in inspiring people to stand up against slavery and injustice. She stood up for herself and every African-American. She had the courage to stand up and leave her slave owner. She stood up for herself and her son in court when he was sold illegally to a slave owner in a different state. She had the moxy to become a public figure and talk about injustice against women and African-American slaves. In the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, no one had ever heard of a woman slave taking a stand to control her and her family’s life. Sojourner Truth was before her time.

And how came Jesus into the world? Through God who created him and woman who bore him. Man, where is your part? But the women are coming up blessed be God and a few of the men are coming up with them. But man is in a tight place, the poor slave is on him, woman is coming on him, and he is surely between-a hawk and a buzzard.”( 7) Not only did she give speeches but also during the civil war she also, “...put her reputation to work during the Civil War, helping to recruit black troops for the Union Army.”(4) She later again moved on, this time she got to meet the president and talk to him about her beliefs/experiences. In the end Truth died accomplishing so much. Truth is a catalyst for change based on the quote” Truth is remembered as one of the foremost leaders of the abolition movement and an early advocate of women’s rights. Although she began her career as an abolitionist, the reform, property rights and universal suffrage. Abolition was one of the few causes that Truth was able to realized during her lifetime. Her fear that abolitionism would falter before achieving equality for women proved prophetic. The constitutional Amendment barring suffrage discrimination based on sec was not ratified until 1920, nearly for decades after Sojourner Truth’s death.”(4) Truth was an amazing women who will and is always a catalyst for change no matter what someone says about her,

Sojourner truth and Harriet Tubman made a huge impact during slavery times. Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman were two women who were born into slavery. They both suffered from bad treatment from their owner. Also, they both later in their lives ran away from their enslavement. Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman both took part in issues dealing with civil rights and were abolitionists. They both went different ways in helping other slaves with obtaining their freedom. Sojourner Truth was an abolitionist lecturer, who perished in a way that showed her real personality and who she really was. Harriet Tubman was the conductor of the Underground Railroad her method of helping slaves escape. She also became a spy during the civil war. Truth and Tubman were abolitionists that had the same goals to help slaved people, but went about the situation in different ways.

In the last paragraph, the author states that Sojourner Truth “accomplished amazing things”. The author develops this claim by saying that Truth was a considered a female hero to some people. In the article, Sojourner Truth, the author states that Truth was “an abolitionist, an emancipated slave, & a woman’s rights activist. She was one of the best-known African American women of the 19th century” (1st paragraph).

She was well aware that she could not speak to slaves and expect a revolution. Unlike most other abolitionists, Sojourner spoke almost exclusively to white crowds. She was confident, one of personal presence, thus she aimed directly for the heart of the problem, which worked almost strategically to bring attention to the problem from those who had not experienced it (Stowe n.p.)(Sojourner n.p.). Sojourner was deeply connected to her religion, which was profoundly ingrained in the culture of the U.S. around The Second Great Awakening and the time following. Having had deep, passionate religious roots from her childhood, her audiences connected to her performances of pure truth (Truth n.p.). Her mother, lovingly Mau-Mau Bett, taught them of God, the only being who could protect her family parted by slavery and their treacherous state (Gilbert 4). This made her all the more popular among people because of how she used the widely beloved gospel in her efforts (Bernard 129). Because of her illiteracy and her powerful presence, Truth often campaigned through speech, which could reach any gender, class, or race (Bernard 129) (Stowe n.p.). Thus, opening her audience to anyone who would listen, a valuable facet to have in her campaigns in a time of inumerous large movements. She not only spoke to many types of people from across

Sojourner Truth is an ex-slave and fiery abolitionist who dazzles listeners with her wit and originality. She is straight talking and unsentimental, Truth became a national symbol for strong black woman. Like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, she is regarded as a radical of immense and enduring influence; however, she is more remembered more for her myths than her personality. In the book, Sojourner Truth A Life, A Symbol, the author Nell Irvin Painter, goes beyond the myths, words, and photographs to uncover the life of a complex woman who was born into slavery and died a legend. Inspired by religion, Truth transforms herself from a domestic servant named Isabella into a nomadic preacher named Sojourner. Her words of empowerment have inspired black women and poor people of the world over to this day.

To many people the name Sojourner Truth may sound old, outdated or may even sound obsolete, all things considered that it is one name that should live on in within the hearts