Sojourner Truth T-Shirt

Sojourner Truth (Isabella Baumfree 1797-1883) was a powerful American abolitionist, woman's rights activist, evangelist and orator. She was born into slavery in Ulster County, New York, enduring harsh conditions as a child. She escaped in 1826 with her infant daughter and successfully SUED her former owner to recover her son-the first Black woman to win a case in court against a white man in the U.S. in 1943, she changed her name to Sojourner Truth and became a leading voice against slavery and for women's suffrage, delivering her most famous speech, 'Ain't I a Woman' at the 1851 Women's Rights Convention in Ohio. She helped recruit Black soldiers for the Union Army, met President Lincoln and worked with freedman's relief efforts. She advocated for land rights, prison reform and equality for Black Americans and women until her death in Battle Creek, Michigan, at around 86. She was the first Black women honored with a bust in the U.S. Capitol, numerous statues and inspiration for ongoing fights for justice.