Sojourner Truth’s speeches and advocacy for Black lives hold just as much importance decades later.
Born into slavery, in 1826 she escaped and became a preacher once she was free. Truth advocated for women’s rights, prison reform, universal suffrage and against the evils of slavery. Truth did not know how to read nor write, but would dictate her speeches, poems and soon-to-be autobiographies in public conferences.
As a student who enjoys reading, writing and history, I wanted to share two of my favorite speeches by Truth. If you are an advocate for women’s rights, believe in the progress women have made and enjoy outspoken women in general, Sojourner will inspire you deeply. In fact, if I had the opportunity to have lunch or coffee with someone who is no longer alive, I would choose Sojourner Truth. She had her head on straight, wanted to change the world for all of us and she is an example of what an unfaltering advocate should look like.