by Kathie MM
Courageous women, revolutionizing women, history-altering women come in all colors and times. Continuing their work is as crucial as ever for peace and social justice.
.So let’s start February, Black History Month, with the words of Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) , who was born into slavery in 1797 and escaped carrying her infant daughter in 1826. (“I did not run off, for I thought that wicked, but I walked off, believing that to be all right,” she said.) When the son she left behind was sold illegally, she successfully sued for his freedom. Naming herself “Sojourner Truth,” and converting to Methodism, she campaigned for women’s rights and the abolition of slavery throughout her life .
Here’s her “Ain’t I a Woman” speech, given in 1851 at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, OH.
“Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that ‘twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what’s all this here talking about?
That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain’t I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain’t I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man – when I could get it – and bear the lash as well! And ain’t I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother’s grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain’t I a woman?
Then they talk about this thing in the head; what’s this they call it? [member in audience whispers, “intellect”] That’s it, honey. What’s that got to do with women’s rights or negroes’ rights? If my cup won’t hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn’t you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?
Then that little man in black there, he says women can’t have as much rights as men, ‘cause Christ wasn’t a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.
If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.
Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain’t got nothing more to say.”
Give your day an extra boost by clicking here to hear a contemporary rendition of her speech .