Sojourner Truth "Ain't I A Woman?" Akron, Ohio 1851
Sojourner Truth "Ain't I A Woman?" Akron, Ohio 1851
Sojourner Truth "Ain't I A Woman?" Akron, Ohio 1851
Period:
Sojourner Truth
Date:
**
Aint I a Woman?
missionary.
In 1850, she attended the first Womans Rights Conference in
Worcester, Massachusetts, where she was the only black woman.
The following year, she attended the Ohio Womens Right
Convention in Akron. Many people objected to her presence,
fearing the feminist cause would get mixed with the unpopular
abolitionist cause.
As she rose to speak, there was a hiss of disapproval. But when
she finished, there were roars of applause from the audience.
Directions: Read the text below and answer the questions that
follow.
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?
[Intellect, somebody whispers] That's it, honey. What's that got to do
with women's rights or negro's 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.