“TRUTH IS POWERFUL AND IT PREVAILS”

Sojourner Truth

Biography: Slave to Activist

Born Isabella Baumfree in 1797Spent her early life as an abused slaveShe was set free and recovered her young son in

slaveryIn 1829 she left NYC and changer her name to

Sojourner Truth. Felt her mission from God was to display the truth

of slavery and women’s rights

Biography

She preached and debated to accept the brotherhood of man and the message of God’s goodness

1850-traveled to the Midwest and began attracting larger crowds

Dictated to Olive Gilbert who wrote her biography

Settled in Michigan and continued to appear before suffrage gatherings

1875-retired to home in Michigan where she lived until her death in 1883

Background-Slavery Abolition Movement

Movement gained momentum in the 1830’s during the Second Great Awakening. The American Anti-Slave Society was founded in 1833.

Slavery was immoral and needed to be abolished, as well as all slaves emancipated.

Led in part by fugitive slaves such as Frederick Douglas and William Wells Brown, northern men such as William Lloyd Garrison, and thousands of women aided, including Sojourner Truth.

These all contributed to sectionalism and secession of the South, which would lead to the Civil War.

Background- Women’s Rights Movement during the 1800’s

Because of Industrialization, women had more time on their hands. Roles had changed in family, and by the 1800’s they were ready to branch out.

Women were looking for the same rights as men, such as the right to vote.

Major turning point in 1848 when a women’s rights movement convention was organized in Seneca Falls, NY in 1848.

Groups such as the NWSA and AWSA would be developed after the Civil War and would be led by prominent figures such as Susan B. Anthony.

Contributions to Slavery Issue

Tried to convince government to supply free land and transportation for newly freed slaves

Testified the demeaning nature of slavery

Spoke for allowing slaves into the military and freeing them

Campaigned for government to give free land in the West to slaves

Helped to create better lives for slave refugees

Contributions to Women’s Rights

Joined the “Progressive Friends” who promoted women’s suffrage and rights

By winning law suits she inspired other women to protect their rights

Spoke about the issue of women’s rights while traveling and inspired others

Northampton Association of Education and Industry

“If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these together ought to be able to turn it back and get it right side up again”

Strategy in Success

Used biblical allusions to support her arguments and to promote faith and morality.

Carried petitions when she traveled, which supporters signed

BiographyExceptional speaker; bold

and dramaticLobbied the Federal

GovernmentUsed basic logic and

sometimes humor in her orations

Other Methods for Success

Used her life as a slave to add support to her arguments

Used examples of being mistreated as a women and emphasized the ridiculousness of society

Befriended other abolitionists

Learned to manipulate establishment institutions

Inspired others through both actions and words

Immediate Influence

Helped former slaves find jobs, homes, and safety

Contributed to the decision of enlisting slaves into the military

Free land and transportation in the West for newly freed slaves

Inspired everyone around her to take part in the cause and further spread the ideas of human rights

“If women want any rights more than they's got, why don't they just take them, and not be talking about it.”

“Religion without humanity is very poor human stuff.”

Effects of Contributions

Inspired other speakers and activists like Martin Luther King Jr.

Laid foundation for success of the 19th amendment

Established a unique and effective method of civil disobedience and spreading the cause

Empowered African American Women

Helped to initiate the modern women’s movement

Works Cited "AAP Brief History of Movement." American Abolitionist Project. Web. 22

Mar. 2012. "Abolitionist Movement." Home Page AutoCWW2. Web. 22 Mar. 2012.

<http://autocww.colorado.edu/~toldy2/E64ContentFiles/WorldHistory/AbolitionistMovement.html>.

"Internet History Sourcebooks." FORDHAM.EDU. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. "Library Menu." Sojourner Truth.org Home Page. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. "The Narrative of Sojourner Truth." Digital.library Server at Penn Libraries.

Web. 22 Mar. 2012. "Sojourner Truth." - Biography Central. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. "Sojourner Truth Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television. Web. 22

Mar. 2012. "Sojourner Truth Biography." Lakewood Public Library (Lakewood, Ohio).

Web. 22 Mar. 2012. "Sojourner's Biography." Sojourner Truth.org Home Page. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. "Women's Rights Before the Civil War." Loyola University New Orleans. Web.

22 Mar. 2012.