“TRUTH IS POWERFUL AND IT PREVAILS” Sojourner Truth

Biography: Slave to Activist Born Isabella Baumfree in 1797 Spent her early life as an abused slave She was set free and recovered her young son in slavery In 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 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 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 Biography Exceptional speaker; bold and dramatic Lobbied the Federal Government Used 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 19 th 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 "Abolitionist Movement." Home Page AutoCWW2. Web. 22 Mar "Internet History Sourcebooks." FORDHAM.EDU. Web. 22 Mar "Library Menu." Sojourner Truth.org Home Page. Web. 22 Mar "The Narrative of Sojourner Truth." Digital.library Server at Penn Libraries. Web. 22 Mar "Sojourner Truth." - Biography Central. Web. 22 Mar "Sojourner Truth Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television. Web. 22 Mar "Sojourner Truth Biography." Lakewood Public Library (Lakewood, Ohio). Web. 22 Mar "Sojourner's Biography." Sojourner Truth.org Home Page. Web. 22 Mar "Women's Rights Before the Civil War." Loyola University New Orleans. Web. 22 Mar