In May of 1851, Truth delivered a speech at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention in Akron. The speech, recorded by several observers, would come to be known as "Ain't I a Woman?" After her speech, Truth continued to tour Ohio from 1851 to 1853, working closely with Marius Robinson to publicize the antislavery movement in the state. As Truth's reputation grew and the abolition movement gained momentum, she drew increasingly larger and more hospitable audiences. Even in abolitionist circles, some of Truth's opinions were considered radical. She sought political equality for all women, and chastised the abolitionist community for failing to seek civil rights for black women as well as men. She openly expressed concern that the movement would fizzle after achieving victories for black men, leaving both white and black women without suffrage and other key political rights.
This image could be considered an abstract representation of what Sojourner Truth's service and life symbolized as an activist. Historically women had been prevented from having the same rights as their male counterparts. It could be metaphorically suggested that women were hidden behind the scenes or an invisible "curtain" where they weren't permitted a governing voice. Truth once stated, "“If women want rights more than they got, why don't they just take them, and not be talking about it?” Sojourner Truth was a brave and charismatic woman who believed in the empowerment of women and how the world would be a better place with their validated contribution.
The above YouTube is a TED recitation of Sojourner Truth's speech "Ain't I a Woman" from the 1851 Ohio Women's Rights Convention. The recitation is performed by Nkechi.
sojournertruth.docx | |
File Size: | 17 kb |
File Type: | docx |