PEOPLE: Women’s History Month 2023 honors Sojourner Truth an American abolitionist and a fighter for women’s rights
AGN.News Team
March 10, 2023
WASHINGTON (AGN.News) – Women’s History Month 2023 recognizes many women who’ve shown exemplary courage in the face of extreme views that denied women the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness they deserved as citizens of the United States.
Sojourner Truth: An exemplary woman!
Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) was an American abolitionist, born of New York Dutch heritage, who saw the value of Black women in the growth and preservation of America’s prosperity. She knew the role of women, regardless of color, in America would be an invaluable part in shaping the future of the country.
She was born during a time when African Americans had no hope of being free from the bondage of slavery. So, at the age of 29 she ran away from plantation life and took her infant daughter with her.
In 1828, she went to court to gain custody of her child. She became the first Black woman to win such a case against a white man. This historic win opened the door for many other firsts in her life.
She clearly understood human values and how those values have to manifest themselves in the way a country cares for its people. Truth knew the value of freedom, freedom from slavery. So, she used her time and energy to fight for the freedom of all enslaved Americans.
She knew a free people would excel in the face of oppression. This was one of the reasons that motivated Truth to fight for women’s rights, especially their right to vote, also called women’s suffrage.
Truth knew real freedom would unlock the full potential of all of America’s people. She also knew exploitation was an enemy of America. Freedom would be good for the country.
Truth stood up for women’s rights
On May 29, 1851, Sojourner Truth, who grew up Dutch and spoke Dutch as a first language, spoke at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio. Later her speech was re-written and became famous during the Civil War era because of its title, “Ain’t I a Woman?”.
When the Civil War broke out, Truth recruited Black troops to fight for the Union Army. Sojourner Truth understood the need for the Union to win the war.
The South was fighting to preserve the institution of slavery which denied certain freedoms to women. A win for the South would not be in the best interest of all of America’s women.
Historian Nell Irvin Painter, an expert on nineteenth century Southern history, wrote:
“At a time when most Americans thought of slaves as male and women as white, Truth embodied a fact the still bears repeating: Among the Blacks are women; among the women, there are Blacks.”
Sojourner Truth legacy and honors
In 2009, a memorial bust of Truth was unveiled in Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capital Visitor Center. She is the first African American woman to have a statue in the Capital building.
In 2014, Sojourner Truth was included in Smithsonian magazine’s list of the “100 Most Significant Americans of All Time.”
In 1976, the state of Michigan recognized her legacy by naming Interstate 194 in Calhoun County, Michigan, Sojourner Truth Downtown Parkway.
In 1981, a plaque honoring Sojourner Truth was unveiled on the site of the Universalist “Old Stone” Church in Akron, Ohio, where Sojourner Truth gave her famous “And aren’t (ain’t) I a woman?” speech on May 29, 1851.
On November 26, 1983, a plaque honoring Sojourner Truth was unveiled in front of the historic Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, New York. The plaque was given by the Sojourner Truth Day Committee to commemorate the centennial of her death on November 26, 1883.
On August 26, 2020, on the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, giving women the right to vote, a statue honoring Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony was unveiled in Central Park in New York City.
The sculpture, entitled “Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument”, was created by American artist Meredith Bergmann. This is the first sculpture in Central Park to depict historical women.
In 1981, Sojourner Truth was posthumously inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York. As of 2021, it had 303 inductees. New inductees are usually announced during March, Women’s History Month.
In 1983, Sojourner Truth was also inducted to the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in Lansing, Michigan. She was part of the inaugural class of inductees when it was established to honor distinguished women, both historical and contemporary who have been associated with the state of Michigan.
As of 2021, the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame contains over 340 inductees.
Women’s History Month 2023 honors Sojourner Truth and the thousands of other women who’ve shown the dedication and commitment to preserving the rights of all Americans, especially women.
#GoldOverBlack
COVID-19 PREVENTION
STOP THE SPREAD! GET VACCINATED!
VACCINES ARE AVAILABLE FOR FREE!
Everyone is being urged by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC.gov) to get vaccinated, wear masks, practice social distancing, and wash hands as a way to cut down on the transmission rate.
For more information on local responses to the novel coronavirus also called … COVID-19, contact your local healthcare provider, visit coronavirus.gov or visit cdc.gov for the United States response to the coronavirus.
News you can use! Enjoy the best of news from your community by Alphabet Global News.
Disclaimer: This post does not represent the views or viewpoint of the owner of AlpLocal.com, AGN News or its representatives or reporters. Any content which references any person, entity or group with similar names, descriptions, or business interest in any geographical location or similar businesses is merely a coincidence and not directed at said business.
This site may contain references to current or past news relating to people, places, things, business, or businesses, new business openings, startups, technology businesses, or any and all references to crimes, local, state or federal crimes. All postings contained herein are not for any purpose other than for educational purposes or for entertainment purposes only. Nothing herein should be considered investment or legal advice.
AGN News is compiled from submissions by contributors or other sources. We are not responsible for information found on external links. Those clicking on these type of links bear sole responsibility for visiting these sites.
