Timeline: PSY A313: Sojourner Truth

1828

Isabella Van Wagener's Path to Empowerment

The beginning of Sojourner's journey to becoming the activist that she is today, began in New York City (Michals, 2015; "Sojourner Truth"). Prior to her move to NYC, she had endured slavery, escaped and saved her children from being sold to the South. After this experience she turned toward an onslaught of religious revival, which gave the activist a place to sharpen her communication skills, as well as develop a charismatic tone that would make her a great debater in the fight for equality.

1850

The Narrative of Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth is unique in the fact that she is both Black and a woman. These two labels would allow her a perspective so unique, the narrative had been truly fleshed out. Oliver Gilbert supported Truth in writing her autobiography, "The Narrative of Sojourner Truth" (Library of Congress, 2014). African American women in this time were just trying to survive, but Truth made it a point to survive and fight. Sojourner understood the dynamics of intersectionality and her story resonates with WOC.

1851

"Ain't I A Women?"

In Akron, Ohio Sojourner Truth gave one of her most famous speeches "Aint I A Woman?" (Michals, 2015) which motivated women of all skin colors to stand firm in their demand for human rights. On the opposite side, more men were willing to hear Sojourner's points because she gracefully combatted back.
She would also maintain the same atmosphere at other conventions such as the Second Annual Convention of the American Woman Suffrage Association (Library of Congress, 2014).

1864

National Freedman's Relief Association

Work still needed to be done for the African American community. Sojourner was invited to Washington DC to work for the National Freedman's Relief Association in addressing segregation. She continued to give speeches in these later years of her life, but remained a pillar for African people (especially women) in achieving social, racial and political justice (Michals, 2015). Truth understood that rights and power were interconnected to land ownership. So she fought to provide land rights.

1900