Sojourner Truth

Personal Statement:

Hi, my name is Sojourner Truth, which is my self given name. I was born under the name Isabella Baumfree in Swartekill, Ulster County, New York, in 1797. I didn't have any formal education, for instance, I was never taught how to read or write.  I am notable to society because I was the first African American woman to win a court case against a white man. I also helped to change the way that people looked at women's rights, making public transportation companies change their policies through a court case. In order to help spread the word of slavery and women’s rights, I wrote my very popular autobiography, Narrative of Sojourner Truth: A Northern Slave.

Issue(s):
I was involved in the women's rights movement, in fact, I was the most powerful advocate. I believe that women as just as hard working as men, if not more. When I gave my speech, "Ain't I a woman?" I was able to show off to the people exactly how much it means to me to look at women as an equal to men. Also, being a former slave myself, I would also like to stand up against slavery. I went to the White House and spoke with president Lincoln in order to speak up and have the freed-people be able to get a job. I was mostly driven by religion. I believed that God was going to help us all out eventually if we put our faith in him.

Solution(s):
A way that I took a stand against these issues is by going to court and speaking out. To me success means to be able to achieve something you have set your mind to by working hard and standing up for what you believe is right. My ultimate goal was to change people's point of view upon women. I want them to all see women as an equal to man. One of the biggest challenge I had to face was getting beaten by my owner who didn't agree with my point of view. Another challenge that got in my way is the amount of people that would actually be against me. Speaking up for me was very hard.