Sojourner Truth

Hello, my name is Sojourner Truth, but that is not the name I was given when I was born. My first name was Isabella Baumfree. I was born into slavery around the year 1797 in a place called Swartekill, New York. My parents, James and Elizabeth Baumfree, were also enslaved, which meant that I was considered property from the moment I was born. Life was very difficult and filled with sadness. The hardest part was when my family was torn apart. When I was just nine years old, I was sold away from my parents. I missed them with all my heart. My family spoke Dutch, so that was my first language. It wasn't until I was sold to an English-speaking family that I had to learn a new way of talking. I was sold several more times throughout my childhood, and each new home brought different struggles. But even in the darkest times, I held onto a little bit of hope that things could one day be better.

As I grew older, I heard some wonderful news that made my heart leap. The government of New York was planning to pass a law that would end slavery for good on July 4th, 1827. My owner at the time, a man named John Dumont, had promised me that he would set me free one year before that date. I worked hard for him, trusting his word. But when the time came for him to keep his promise, he changed his mind and said I had to stay. I knew in my soul that this was wrong. I had been a faithful worker, and I had earned my freedom. I decided that if he would not give it to me, I would have to take it for myself. So, in 1826, I picked up my infant daughter, Sophia, and I walked away. I did not run, because I felt I was not stealing myself, but only taking what was rightfully mine. We walked and walked until we found a kind family, Isaac and Maria Van Wagenen, who took us into their home and protected us.

Even though I had found my own freedom, my heart was soon broken all over again. I learned that my five-year-old son, Peter, who had been left behind, had been illegally sold by Mr. Dumont to a man in Alabama. Selling a slave across state lines was against New York law. In those days, it was almost impossible for a Black woman to challenge a white man in court and win. But I was a mother, and I had to fight for my child. With the help of my new friends, the Van Wagenens, I took the case to court. It was a long and difficult process, but I refused to give up. Then, in 1828, the most amazing thing happened. The court ruled in my favor. It was one of the first times in history that a Black woman had successfully sued a white man and won. When my son Peter was returned to me, holding him in my arms felt like the greatest victory in the world.

After winning my freedom and getting my son back, I felt a powerful change happening inside me. I felt a calling from God to travel the land and speak out against the terrible injustices I had experienced. I knew I needed a new name for my new purpose. So, on June 1st, 1843, I chose one for myself. I named myself Sojourner, which means a traveler, because I would travel up and down the country. And I chose the last name Truth, because I would tell everyone the truth about slavery. As Sojourner Truth, I traveled to many different towns and cities. I stood before crowds of people and gave speeches about the evils of slavery and the need for all people to have equal rights, including women. In 1851, I attended a women's rights convention in Akron, Ohio. There, I gave a powerful speech that would become famous. I asked the crowd, 'Ain't I a Woman?' to make everyone understand that Black women deserved the same rights and respect as everyone else.

I spent the rest of my life as a traveler and a truth-teller, working for freedom and equality for all. My work even took me to the White House, where I met with President Abraham Lincoln on October 29th, 1864, to discuss ways to help formerly enslaved people. I never learned how to read or write, but I did not let that stop me. My voice became my power, and I used it to speak for those who could not. I lived to be about 86 years old, and I never stopped fighting for what I believed in. Today, people remember me as a courageous woman who stood up against slavery and demanded equal rights for all people. My story shows that no matter where you start in life, your voice is powerful, and speaking the truth can help change the world.