Sojourner Truth - anti-slavery and for women's rights

Isabella Baumfree (1797–November 26, 1883) was the name she was given at birth, but God renamed her: Sojourner "because I was to travel up an' down the land, showin' the people their sins, an' bein' a sign unto them." She soon asked God for a second name, "'cause everybody else had two names; and the Lord gave me Truth, because I was to declare the truth to the people."

To me, she has the prefect name for a Christian living for Christ at the beginning of a new millennium. We are to see ourselves as travelers in a foreign land speaking out boldly for truth to ears that do not want to hear or be disturbed in the midst of their pleasure.

All of Sojourner's days of slavery were in the North not the South. She lived in New York, 95 miles north of New York City. Slaves were freed in NY on July 4th, 1827. She spoke only Dutch in her youth and carried the accent all her life. When she was 9 years old she was sold to John Neely who raped and beat her every day, she reported. She was beaten by others for her speeches and stand.

Reminiscences by Frances Gage of the Women's Rights Convention, Akron, Ohio, May 1851.
"There were very few women in those days who dared to "speak in meeting"; and the august teachers of the people were seemingly getting the better of us, while the boys in the galleries, and the sneerers among the pews, were hugely enjoying the discomfiture, as they supposed, of the "strong-minded." Some of the tender-skinned friends were on the point of losing dignity, and the atmosphere betokened a storm. When, slowly from her seat in the corner rose Sojourner Truth, who, till now, had scarcely lifted her head. "Don't let her speak!" gasped half a dozen in my ear. She moved slowly and solemnly to the front, laid her old bonnet at her feet, and turned her great speaking eyes to me. There was a hissing sound of disapprobation above and below. I rose and announced "Sojourner Truth," and begged the audience to keep silence for a few moments."

"The tumult subsided at once, and every eye was fixed on this almost Amazon form, which stood nearly six feet high, head erect, and eyes piercing the upper air like one in a dream. At her first word there was a profound hush. She spoke in deep tones, which, though not loud, reached every ear in the house, and away through the throng at the doors and windows."

"Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the Negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen (historians say she had five) children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or Negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it. The men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say.”
--Sojourner Truth

Her last words were "Be a follower of the Lord Jesus." This is the best advice anyone could ever give!

William Wetmore Story, the son of famed Supreme Court Chief Justice, Joseph Story sculpted his "Libyan Sibyl" and it is said to be modeled on Sojourner Truth. It is on display at the Smithsonian Museum of American Art. His "Angel of Grief" is one of my favorite statures, especially the copy in the Friendship Cemetary in Columbus, MS. My 5th great grandfather, Charles Story, is reputed to be from this family but I have found no connection.