Sojourner Truth and Her Speech 'Ain't I a Woman?'

An enslaved woman, Sojourner Truth(1797-1883) was an African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist who is best known for her role as a powerful figure of an advocate for women's rights and civil rights. She was born into slavery but she gained her freedom in 1826 by escaping the plantation with her infant daughter.

After gaining her freedom, she devoted her life for the civil rights and women's rights in the 19th century. Inspiring a whole generation of African-American people and women, she became one of the most important female figures in the history.

“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?”

At the 1851 Women’s Rights Convention, Sojourner Truth delivered her speech titled 'Ain't I a Woman' and it became one of the most important speeches regarding women's rights and abolitionist movement. In this speech, she points out the injustices and double standards faced by Black Women in her time.

Truth adresses on themes as racial and gender equality by sharing her own experiences as an enslaved Black woman who endured significant hardships yet received no respect from the society. In addition to these, she also delves into the harsh reality of the understanding of logic and intellect as from the understanding of a white male, a woman; especially a Black woman lacks logic and intellect. Gender inequality and racism is studied throughout these parts. By studying this aspect, she again elaborates on the need for equality and women's rights.

There is much to say but thank you Sojourner Truth for inspiring a whole generation of feminist writers, abolitionsts, women figures and society in general. Thank you.

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.”