Sojourner Truth (c. 1797 – 1883) was an African American abolitionist, women’s rights activist, and powerful orator. Born into slavery in New York, she endured years of forced labor before escaping in 1826 with her infant daughter. Two years later, she won a legal battle to recover her son, becoming one of the first Black women to successfully challenge a white man in court.
In 1843, she adopted the name Sojourner Truth, believing she had a divine mission to spread justice. She became a traveling preacher, advocating for the abolition of slavery and women’s rights. Her most famous speech, Ain’t I a Woman?, delivered at the 1851 Ohio Women’s Rights Convention, challenged racial and gender inequalities, calling for equal rights for Black women.
During the Civil War, she recruited Black soldiers for the Union Army and worked with the Freedmen’s Bureau to assist formerly enslaved people. She also fought for land grants to provide economic independence for freed African Americans, though her efforts were largely unsuccessful.
Despite facing discrimination and financial struggles, Truth remained a tireless advocate for justice until her death in 1883. She was posthumously honored with a bust in the U.S. Capitol in 2009, becoming the first Black woman to receive such recognition. Her legacy as a fearless crusader for freedom and equality continues to inspire generations.