by Emily Barnard

BLACK HISTORY MONTH BIOGRAPHIES

Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth was born around the year 1797. She was born a slave in New York State. Sojourner Truth was actually not her given name, though. Records are unsure whether she was born Isabella Baumfree or Isabella Van Wagener, but they do know that she later changed her name.

 

Growing up, Isabella was a slave. She was one of thirteen children, and spoke only Dutch until she was sold. In 1815, she fell in love with a slave named Robert from a neighboring farm. However, Robert’s owner forbid them to marry because if they had children, the children would not be his “property”. Then Robert was savagely beaten, and he never returned. Soon after that, Isabella had a baby girl named Diana. She was forced to marry an older slave named Thomas and they had four children, named Peter, James, Elizabeth, and Sophia.

 

In late 1826, Isabella ran away from the plantation on which she was en-slaved. She took only her youngest daughter, Sophia, who was a baby then. She began to work for Elijah Pierson in New York City, as a housekeeper. She then met Robert Matthews, and worked for him as a housekeeper. However, Elijah Pierson died, and both Robert and Isabella were accused of poisoning him. Isabella changed her name to Sojourner Truth on June 1, 1843, and told her friends, “The Spirit calls me, and I must go.” She traveled around preaching about abolition. Sojourner Truth gave the speech ‘Ain’t I a Woman?’ in 1851. This was her most renowned speech. She helped create black troops for the Union during the American Civil War.

 

Sojourner Truth worked very hard to get equal rights for African-American people. She was a diligent worker, and, when she set her mind to something, she would not give up until the job was done. Although her lectures were not accepted by everyone, she had many friends and supporters, including Amy Post, Parker Pillsbury, Mrs. Frances Gage, Wendell Phillips, William Garrison, Laura Smith Haviland, Lucretia Mott, and Susan B. Anthony. Sojourner Truth died in 1883.

www.onekama.k12.mi.us