Isabella Baumfree, also known as Sojourner Truth, was born in 1797 and died on November 26, 1883. Truth was born into slavery in Swartekill, New York, and was treated poorly. She was often sexually abused by her owner named John Neely. Sojourner was a mother of five children whom were sold into slavery as well. After escaping slavery, she turned religious and became involved in the abolition of slavery, freedmen, and women’s rights work. During the 1840’s she had her own autobiography called Narrative of Sojourner Truth published by Olive Gilbert.

She is known for her most famous speech called “Ain’t I a Woman?” given at the Women’s Rights convention in Akron, Ohio. Her speech demanded equal rights for women. Truth would preach about women being just as strong as men and would state that African American women were not treated equally compared to white women. Her speech became and continues to be a classic expression of women’s right, and symbolizes women’s strength. She traveled through the Northeast and Midwest in order to continue publicly speaking giving personal testimonies about her experiences as a slave. Truth dedicated her career as an activist by talking about social issues, giving speeches and campaigning for individuals right the rest of her life.