Sojourner Truth delivered one of history's most powerful speeches on this day in 1851

"Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me!"

Isabella Baumfree (known as Belle) was born in 1797 in New York - one of the approximately 12 children born into slavery to James and Elizabeth Baumfree, both bought from slave traders by Colonel Hardenbergh. The family was kept in the town of Esopus, 153 km north of New York City. Belle, who at that time could only speak Dutch, was sold at an auction for the first time at the age of nine, in 1808, for $100. That would repeat three more times in a span of approximately 2 years.

Although the locations of her captivity changed, her wretched reality remained a life of arduous, forced physical labor and brutal punishments.

Parts of this story are common to the millions of men and women who were subjected to the violence and brutality of slavery.

But Belle's new name would become one of the most important in the world's history and would be remembered for generations to come. In 1826, she decided to risk everything and escape to freedom with her infant daughter Sophia.

Decades after that, declaring that the Spirit called on her to preach the truth, Belle renamed herself Sojourner Truth.

“I tell you I can't read a book, but I can read people.”

Truth relocated to New York City after her escape and engaged herself in religious practices. There, while working for a local minister, she discovered her talent and passion for public speaking. What came next were years of fierce advocacy for abolition, universal suffrage, prison reform and civil rights.

In 1851, while on an extensive tour that included a women’s rights conference in Akron, Ohio, on May 29, she delivered a powerful speech on African American women's rights, which became known as “Ain't I a Woman?”.

Article by Marius Robinson

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! 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? [member of audience 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.

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 is some controversy regarding this speech, however. The exact wording has been lost and a few different versions have been shared throughout the years.

In the one transcribed by Marius Robinson - a journalist who was in the audience at the Woman's Rights Convention - a few weeks after it was delivered, Truth doesn't even mention the phrase “Ain't I a Woman?”. The most common, famous version (the one shared above), was publicized - maybe constructed - by Frances Gage nearly twelve years later.

You can compare the speeches here.

Truth died in the morning on November 26, 1883, at her Battle Creek home. Her words still resonate today and her legacy lives on.

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Sojourner Truth is one of the 200 women featured in my new book, A Woman’s World. Take a look at the sneak peek below and, if you enjoy my work, please consider pre-ordering the book via this link. Thank you!