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A black slave woman who adopted the name '''Sojourner Truth''' ( - 1883) fought for the rights of [[slaves]] and women.  She gave the famous "Ain't I a Woman?" speech in Akron, Ohio,

A black slave woman who adopted the name '''Sojourner Truth''' ( - 1883) and fought for the rights of [[slaves]] and women.  She gave the famous "Ain't I a Woman?" speech in Akron, Ohio.

Given the name Isabella she was born into slavery on the Hardenbergh estate, Swartekill, Ulster County, New York and bought at auction in 1806 for $100 by John Neely, near Kingston, NY.  In 1808 she was bought for $105 by Martinus Schryver of Kingston, NY, staying there about 18 months

Given the name Isabella, she was born into slavery on the Hardenbergh estate, Swartekill, Ulster County, New York and bought at auction in 1806 for $100 by John Neely, near Kingston, NY.  In 1808 she was bought for $105 by Martinus Schryver of Kingston, NY, staying there about 18 months

She was then bought in 1810 for 70 pounds (c.$175) by John Dumont, New Paltz, NY, --she bore five children, Diana, Peter, Elizabeth, Sophia and a child who died in infancy  

She was then bought in 1810 for 70 pounds (c.$175) by John Dumont, New Paltz, NY. She bore five children: Diana, Peter, Elizabeth, Sophia and a child who died in infancy.

In 1826 Isabella walked to freedom with infant daughter,Sophia -- she had to leave the other children behind because they were not legally freed in the emancipation order, but on July 4, 1827 New York state emancipates slaves born after 1799  

In 1826 Isabella walked to freedom with her infant daughter, Sophia. She had to leave the other children behind because they were not legally freed in the emancipation order. However, on July 4, 1827, New York state emancipated slaves born after 1799.

In 1843 at age 46, Isabella adopts the name Sojourner Truth, and leaves New York to travel to Springfield, Mass.  

In 1843, at age 46, Isabella adopted the name Sojourner Truth, and left New York to travel to Springfield, Mass.  

She traveled in 1851 to Rochester, NY, where she stayed with Underground Railroad leader, Amy Post -- in May, attended women's rights convention in Akron, Ohio, where she delivers the speech later known as "Ain't I a Woman?"

She traveled in 1851 to Rochester, NY and stayed with the Underground Railroad leader, Amy Post. In May of that year, Sojourner Truth attended a women's rights convention in Akron, Ohio, where she delivered the speech later known as "Ain't I a Woman?"

From The Modern History sourcebook at Fordham Univerity.

The following is from The ''Modern History sourcebook'' at Fordham Univerity.

Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio, 1851  

Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio, 1851:

<blockquote>"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?<br><br>  

<blockquote>"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?<br><br>  

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say."</blockquote>

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say."</blockquote>

In 1864, she visited President [[Abraham Lincoln]] at the White House and in 1865 was assigned to work at Freedman's Hospital in Washington.  She rode the Washington, DC, streetcars to force their desegregation  

In 1864, she visited President [[Abraham Lincoln]] at the White House, and in 1865 was assigned to work at Freedman's Hospital in Washington.  She rode the Washington, DC, streetcars in order to force their desegregation. Sojourner Truth was allegedly also the first black woman to vote in a Michigan state election.

She was the first black woman to vote in a Michigan state election and died in Battle Creek Michigan in 1883.

She resided in or near Battle Creek, Michigan for the last twenty-five years of her life. She died there in 1883 and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery where W. K. Kellogg and C. W. Post, pioneers in the breakfast cereal industry, were later interred.

 

An impressive monument to her has been erected near the Battle Creek City Hall and the city's Underground Railroad memorial.