[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 140 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10817-S10818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            SOJOURNER TRUTH

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Sojourner 
Truth, a leader in the abolitionist movement and a ground breaking 
speaker on behalf of equality for women. The 200th

[[Page S10818]]

anniversary of Sojourner Truth's birth is being celebrated this year 
throughout the United States.
  Sojourner Truth was born Isabella Baumfree in 1797 in Ulster County, 
NY and served as a slave under several different masters. She bore four 
children who survived infancy, and all except one daughter were sold 
into slavery. Baumfree became a freed slave in 1828 when New York State 
outlawed slavery. She remained in New York and instituted successful 
legal proceedings to secure the return of her son, Peter, who had been 
illegally sold to a slave-owner from Alabama.
  In 1843, Baumfree, in response to a perceived command from God, 
changed her name to Sojourner Truth and dedicated her life to traveling 
and lecturing. She began her migration west in 1850, where she shared 
the stage with other abolitionist leaders such as Frederick Douglass. 
In October 1856, Truth came to Battle Creek, MI, with Quaker leader 
Henry Willis to speak at a Friends of Human Progress meeting. She 
eventually bought a house and settled in the area. Her antislavery, 
women's rights, and temperance arguments brought Battle Creek both 
regional and national recognition. Sojourner Truth died at her home in 
Battle Creek, November 26, 1883, having lived quite an extraordinary 
life.
  Sojourner Truth was a powerful voice in the women's suffrage 
movement, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the right of all women to 
vote. She was a political activist who personally conversed with 
President Abraham Lincoln on behalf of freed, unemployed slaves, and 
campaigned for Ulysses S. Grant in the Presidential election in 1868. 
Sojourner was a woman of great passion and determination who was 
spiritually motivated to preach and teach in ways that have had a 
profound and lasting imprint on American history.
  In 1851, Sojourner delivered her famous ``Ain't I a Woman?'' speech 
at the Women's Convention in Akron, OH. She spoke from her heart about 
the most troubling issues of her time. Her words on that day in Ohio 
are a testament to Sojourner Truth's convictions and are a part of the 
great legacy she left for us all.
  Mr. President, I ask that the text of the Sojourner Truth ``Ain't I a 
Woman'' speech be printed in the Record.
  The speech is as follows:

                            Ain't I a Woman

                          (By Sojourner Truth)

       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 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 gets 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 five children and seen most all sold off to 
     slavery, and when I cried out with a 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 of the audience whispers ``intellect'') 
     That's it, honey.
       What's that got to do with women's right or negroes' 
     rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and your 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 women?
       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.

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