Sojourner Truth (1797-1883): Ain’t I A Woman?

Question

Delivered 1851

Women’s Rights Convention, Old Stone Church (since demolished), Akron, Ohio

“May I say a few words?”

“I want to say a few words about this matter. I am a woman’s right. I have as much muscle as any man, and can do as much work as any man. I have plowed and reaped and husked and chopped and mowed, and can any man do more than that? I have heard much about the sexes being equal; I can carry as much as any man, and can eat as much too, if I can get it. I am as strong as any man that is now.”

“As for intellect, all I can say is, if woman have a pint and man a quart—why can’t she have her little pint full? You need not be afraid to give us our rights for fear we will take too much—for we can't take more than our pint’ll hold.”

“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 poor men seem to be all in confusion, and don’t know what to do. Why children, if you have woman’s rights give it to her and you will feel better. You will have your own rights, and they won't be so much trouble. I can’t read, but I can hear. I have heard the Bible and have learned that Eve caused man to sin. Well if woman upset the world, do give her a chance to set it right side up again.”

“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.”

The Lady has spoken about Jesus, how he never spurned woman from him, and she was right. When Lazarus died, Mary and Martha came to him with faith and love and besought him to raise their brother. And Jesus wept—and Lazarus came forth. And how came Jesus into the world? Through God who created him and woman who bore him. Man, where is your part? But the women are coming up, blessed be God, and a few of the men are coming up with them. But man is in a tight place, the poor slave is on him, woman is coming on him, and he is surely between a hawk and a buzzard.

What is Sojourner Truth saying about the connection between civil rights for African Americans and the rights of women?

Why was she able to stand before a large audience and expound this way without notes or preparation?

What issue of today might inspire you to make an unrehearsed speech?

in 1 sentence each

Answer 1

Sojourner Truth is highlighting the intersectionality of civil rights for African Americans and women's rights, arguing that both groups deserve equality and recognition of their strength and contributions to society.

She was able to stand before the audience and deliver her powerful speech without notes or preparation due to her deep conviction, lived experiences, and the urgency of the issues she addressed.

An issue of today that might inspire me to make an unrehearsed speech could be the ongoing fight for racial and gender equality, particularly in addressing systemic injustices and advocating for marginalized voices.