Born Isabella Baumfree,
Sojourner Truth became the first black woman orator
to lecture against slavery. When asked how she received
her name, she replied, "I asked the Lord to
give me a new name and He gave me Sojourner
because I was to travel up and down the land showing
the people's sins and being a sign unto them. Afterwards,
I told the Lord I wanted another name cause everybody
had two names; and He gave me Truth because
I was to declare the truth unto the people."
In 1827, she escaped
from her master who heartlessly sold all five of
her children. She lived with a Quaker family who
helped her win a lawsuit to get one son returned
to her. Standing over 6 feet tall, as a speaker,
Sojourner commanded respect from her audience. She
could neither read nor write but she became a legendary
prophetess, orator and preacher during her time.
Sojourner
Truth
