Sojourner Truth's Legacy: Feminism and Society

This assignment examines the lasting influence of abolitionist and feminist activist Sojourner Truth on contemporary society. Students are tasked with analyzing her contributions to the fight against sexism and racism, and evaluating how her ideas have shaped the evolving landscape of women's rights in America. The paper explores the rise of feminism, citing examples of Truth's impact on both male and female perspectives towards gender equality.

Running head: SOJOURNER TRUTH: A FEMINIST AND A CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST 1
Sojourner Truth: A Feminist and a Civil Rights Activist
Name
University

SOJOURNER TRUTH: A FEMINIST AND A CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST 2
Introduction
The life of any woman amidst the patriarchy dominated society has never been an easy
task. The conditions were even more unbearable in the past centuries especially before and
during the 19th century. The rise of women to popularity was unheard, and if by any chance it
happened, it could rise to a series of controversies against women. Being a woman was viewed
as some form of disgrace. The women from the minority (the blacks, the unlearned and the
slaves) groups were more disgraced. Sojourner Truth, a black, a slave and an unlearned woman
however rose and emerged to be an admired figure, insurmountable and a significant historical
symbol of equality.
Sojourner Truth is a self-given name to Isabella Baumfree believed to have been born in
1797 (Painter, 1990). The truth was an African American born to James and Elizabeth Baumfree
in Swarterkill under slavery. In 1826, she managed to escape slavery with her infant daughter
(Painter, 1990). Truth dedicated her life to fighting for equality both in the racial and the gender
aspects. She recruited the blacks for the union army. She is best known for her speech, "Ain't I a
Woman?" delivered in 1851 at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention. The speech was a major
confrontation to the previous speeches given by men stating that women are inferior to men and
therefore they should not enjoy similar rights. She openly dismissed the statements earlier made
that women needed help from men with their carriages and in performing other duties. She said,
‘Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place!’
(Halsall, 1997). Truth went further to explain how she performed the then thought to be male
tasks all alone, ‘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 -

SOJOURNER TRUTH: A FEMINIST AND A CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST 3
and bear the lash as well!’ (Gilbert, 1880). After she gained her freedom, she had much
conviction in the biblical teachings and became a preacher in the Pentecostal conviction. Her
future name Sojourner Truth was attached to her strong beliefs in religion.
Sojourner Truth: A Feminist and a Civil Rights Activist. Source: https://www.google.com
Truth had an outspoken personality which was admired by both men and women living in
her era. She was among the few African American women in the 19th century who publicly
denounced the hostilities leveled against them (Minister, 2012). Women leaders were much
impressed by her personality. Lucy Stone liked her and regarded her as ‘wise, unselfish, brave
and good.' Elizabeth Cady also appreciated her qualities. Truth not only found approval in the
eyes of the women, but some men also subscribed to her ideologies and went a step further to
join her in the mission of activism. She met Fredrick Douglass, a fellow abolitionist at
Northampton Association. Douglass was much influenced by Truth's beliefs, and later he
declared the need for the blacks to seize freedom by power.
I have a conviction that Sojourner Truth was a mad woman, mad in the best way. I wish I
could have met her. She was my ideal exemplary figure of endurance and perseverance. Her
undying stamina and quest for justice filled me with optimism and confidence that it would not

SOJOURNER TRUTH: A FEMINIST AND A CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST 4
take long to end the injustices against the marginalized. Truth after gaining freedom, she went to
a court of law to challenge the selling of her five year’s son into slavery. The ruling of her case
was the most extraordinary in a Whiteman's state. How could a woman, a black woman, and
slave get justice from her master? Ideally, the fears that we will not succeed should not deter us
from trying. Our trials may not bear fruits as soon as we may desire but they will always be
important milestones towards an achievement.
In her life, Truth met the president, Lincoln and talked to him about her life experiences
and beliefs. Even after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation Truth was not contented
and continued to fight for equality demanding that the slaves should be given land to settle.
Although this was not legislated during her time, Americans would later freely mix with people
across all the races. The once underestimated power of a woman is soaring to higher heights and
is key to profiling the modern societies. The effect of women is much felt in the political and the
socioeconomic practices.
Truth helped in shaping a more civilized America. Currently, variations in race, gender, and
education are viewed as minor differences which cannot hinder people from interaction. America
has realized that the blacks are fellow countrymen and can equally be influential when given
similar chances. These differences do not qualify anyone to be discriminated. Due to this
America recruits labor force across the World. This has helped America to achieve more than
ever in history. In the recent past, America set a record worth looking up to by electing an
African American president who reigned for eight years without opposition.

SOJOURNER TRUTH: A FEMINIST AND A CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST 5
Sojourner Truth is a pioneer to the modern feministic ideologies. Truth has a major
contribution in making the world adopt a more lenient perspective towards women. In the
contemporary societies, though women are not attached to as many privileges as men, they can at
least enjoy the most basic rights. The presumption that women are weak and fragile is gradually
fading away. The influence of Truth's ideologies is much felt in the political arena with women
seeking adequate representation in the parliamentary offices. Ideally, women no longer settle for
anything less as it used to be. They have gone a mile further to fight for the topmost seat in the
states. Hillary Clinton is an excellent model of the fact that American feminists are rising
towards victory.
The rise of feminists can also be attributed to Truth’s efforts. Her ideas not only inspired
women but also raised the confidence of men towards women. In the previous elections,
President Donald Trump ran for the topmost seat against a female contestant, Mrs. Hillary
Clinton (Filipovic, 2016). Clinton gained support from people of both genders in the state. This
means that men have reformed and can accept to be ruled by women. Barrack Obama who was
the outgoing president then, supported Clinton’s manifesto (Filipovic, 2016). The effect of
Truth’s criticisms against antifeminism inspired many women and increased their urge to fight
patriarchy. This is evidenced by the rise of feminist writers who have opted to document their
criticisms against the male-dominated societies. With this, the society has been coerced to
appreciate the power of a woman.
Conclusion

SOJOURNER TRUTH: A FEMINIST AND A CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST 6
The truth was among the foremost abolitionist and feminist at a period when racism and sexism
were the orders of every state. The only way to gain approval both in the eyes of God and men is
through dedication to the service of others. This is an ideal way to reach the topmost level in life,
self-fulfillment. Suffering in the service of others does not harm but instead, builds tolerance and
peace within self. The World has not yet attained stability and is yet to conform to the ideal
society that everyone admires to live. To reach the set standards, individuals with a similar or
even a more commendable spirit than that of Truth ought to rise and dot the right paths.

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References
Filipovic, J. (2016, November 5). The Men Feminists Left Behind. Retrieved September 17,
2017, from The New York Times:
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/06/opinion/campaign-stops/the-men-feminists-left-
behind.html?mcubz=0
Gilbert, O. (1880). The Narrative of Sojourner Truth. Retrieved September 17, 2017, from A
Celebration of Women Writers:
http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/truth/1850/1850.html
Halsall, P. (1997). Modern History Sourcebook:. Fordham: Fordham University.
Minister, M. (2012). Female, Black, and Able: Representations of Sojourner Truth and Theories
of Embodiment. Disability Studies Quarterly, 32(1), 29-35.
Painter, N. I. (1990). Sojourner Truth in Life and Memory: Writing the Biography of an
American Exotic1. Gender & History, 2(1), 10-13.