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Thu, 05.29.1851

Sojourner Truth Gives Her ‘Ain’t I A Woman’ Speech

Historic Marker Plaque

*On this date in 1851, Sojourner Truth gave her famous "Ain't I a Woman?" speech for the first time.  Though it did not originally have a title and was delivered impromptu, it has inspired the Black feminists’ community since.  

After gaining her freedom in 1827, Sojourner Truth became a well-known anti-slavery speaker. Her speech was delivered at the Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio. Two contemporary newspapers briefly reported on it, and a transcript was published in the Anti-Slavery Bugle on June 21, 1851.

It received wider publicity in 1863 during the American Civil War when Frances Dana Barker Gage published a different version, which became known as Ain't I a Woman?  Because of its oft-repeated question.

The later, better-known, and more widely available version has been referenced by most historians.  

New Poem Each Day

Poetry Corner

The stairs mount to his eternity the rotted floor, the dripping faucet all now abide within him, the cracked ceiling, the rusted bed in his dark squalid chamber abide... THE STAIRCASE by Samuel Allen.
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