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Sojourner Truth 1797-1883
Sojourner Truth was born Isabella Baumfree.
The lady was a tall African American who
spoke Dutch and English. She was born a slave in Ulster County, New
York, around the year 1797.
Sojourner's parents were James
Baumfree and Elizabeth Baumfree. Sojourner had 12
siblings.
In 1826, Sojourner Truth lived with a
Dutch couple, and hence, her legal name became Isabella Van
Wenger or Isabella Van Wagener. Something like that.
In 1843, and discovering her religious
side, Isabella renamed herself Sojourner Truth. The word
sojourner means temporary resident or visitor. And
on her feet she was, traveling and preaching.
Sojourner found her niche market and
stood up for the rights of African Americans and the rights of
women. She could not write but knew how to fight for human rights.
Case in point was her
Ain't I a Woman speech which she delivered in 1851 at the
Women's Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio.
Go here for more about
Human Rights in History.
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