Sojourner Truth, an African American abolitionist and women’s rights activist, made history as the first black woman to successfully sue and win a case against a white man to recover her illegally sold son from slavery. Born as Isabella Baumfree, she adopted the name Sojourner Truth after a spiritual revelation, dedicating her life to preaching and traveling to advocate for the abolition of slavery. Despite being born into slavery and forcibly married off, she managed to save two of her five children from slavery. Joining the Northampton Association of Education and Industry, she formed connections with prominent abolitionists such as William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, and David Ruggles. After the group disbanded, she partnered with abolitionist George Benson, attending conventions and delivering powerful speeches on anti-slavery issues, women’s rights, and prison reforms. Sojourner Truth’s oratory skills and impactful works earned her immense respect and admiration from abolitionists and women’s rights activists alike.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Isabella Baumfree
- Died At Age: 86
- Family: father: James Baumfree, mother: Elizabeth Baumfree
- Quotes By Sojourner Truth
- Women’s Rights Activists
- Height: 6’0″ (183 cm), 6’0″ Females
- Died on: November 26, 1883
- Place of death: Battle Creek, Michigan, United States
- Grouping of People: Abolitionists
- U.S. State: New Yorkers
Childhood & Early Life
Sojourner Truth was born into slavery to James Baumfree and Elizabeth. It is believed that she had either 10 or 12 siblings. Her parents were owned by Colonel Hardenbergh. After her owners passed away, Truth was sold at an auction when she was just nine years old. She was then owned by a cruel man named John Neely. She was sold a few more times before becoming the property of John Dumont in 1810. While Dumont was kind to his slaves, his wife treated them poorly and made their lives miserable.
Later Life
The process of abolishing slavery in New York began in 1799, but it wasn’t until July 1827 that all slaves were legally freed. In late 1826, Truth escaped to freedom with her infant daughter, leaving her other children behind as they could not be legally freed. She found work at the home of Isaac and Maria Van Wagener and lived there until the approval of the New York State Emancipation Act in 1827.
Truth’s five-year-old son Peter had been illegally sold by Dumont after the passing of the law that freed all slaves. She fought to get him back, as she learned he was being abused by his new owner. After months of legal proceedings, she became one of the first black women to win a case against a white man. She converted to Christianity and moved to New York City with Peter, where she worked as a housekeeper for a Christian Evangelist named Elijah Pierson until his death.
In 1843, Truth had a spiritual experience and adopted the name “Sojourner Truth.” She began traveling and giving speeches about the abolition of slavery. In 1844, she joined the Northampton Association of Education and Industry in Massachusetts, where she met famous abolitionists such as William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, and David Ruggles.
Major Works
Although Truth was not educated and could not read or write, she dictated her memoirs to a friend named Olive Gilbert. Her book, “The Narrative of Sojourner Truth: A Northern Slave,” was privately published by William Lloyd Garrison in 1850. She became a sought-after speaker on abolition and spent several years traveling and speaking on topics such as slavery, women’s suffrage, politics, prison reforms, and women’s rights.
Personal Life & Legacy
As a teenager, Truth fell in love with a slave named Robert, but they could not marry due to their different owners. She had a child with him anyway, despite the prohibition. Dumont, her owner, forced her to marry another slave named Thomas, with whom she had four children, one of whom died as an infant.
Truth led an active life and continued speaking and campaigning well into her old age. She died in 1883 from age-related problems.
Trivia
Sojourner Truth was listed as one of the 100 Greatest African Americans by scholar Molefi Asante in 2002. She was also the first black woman to have a bust in the U.S. Capitol, sculpted by artist Artis Lane.