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Sojourner Truths Speech Text:
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| Sojourner Truths speech Ain't I a Woman delivered in 1851 at the Women's Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio in my series of famous speeches by famous women. Also you will find on this page a short Sojourner Truth bio. This Sojourner Truth famous speech is mainly based on the speech topics abolition and women's rights. Truth was the voice of the American Black population in the history of abolitionism and feminism. A well-known public speaker who advocated controversial and |
- Women's rights.
- Abolitionism.
- Rights and education of the Black people.
- Moderation and self-restraining behavior.
- Religion, in the last part of Sojourner Truths speech.
Text of Sojourner Truths Speech Ain't I A Woman?
Sojourner Truths famous speech delivered at the Women's Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio, 1851.
Complete transcription of Sojourner Truths Speech:
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!... Sojourner Truths Speech |
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?
... at this point a member of the audience listening to Sojourner Truths speech 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.
| ...the men better let them... Sojourner Truths Speech |
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.
There are different versions of Sojourner Truths speech, according to Harriet Beecher Stowe, in the introduction to Sojourner Truth autobiography The Narrative of Sojourner Truth. One of the bestselling Soujourner Truth books.
Short Sojourner Truth Bio
Born around 1797 into slavery in Swartekill, New York as Isabella Baumfree. From 1843, she called herself Sojourner Truth, meaning traveling preacher.
Became a popular Methodist public speaker on American abolitionist and women's rights speech topics. Most people of her time agree that this Sojourner Truths speech was absolutely outstanding as an improvised narrative.
Sojouner Truth died November 26, 1883 and was buried in Battle Creek, Michigan. There you can find more information on Sojourner Truths speech.
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