American Abolitionist, Civil Rights Advocate, Women's Rights Advocate

1797-1883

Sojourner Truth was born as a slave in New York with the name Isabella, or Bell. In the evenings her mother would call her children to sit together under the stars and she would say to them, 

“My children, there is a God, who hears and sees you.”

“A God, mau-mau! Where does he live?” asked the children.

“He lives in the sky,” she replied; “and when you are beaten, or cruelly treated, or fall into any trouble you must ask help of him.”

And so Bell learned to pray. 

Bell was separated from her parents when she was only 9 years old, and sold along with a flock of sheep, like she was an animal. She was often whipped and badly hurt. She remembered her mother’s teachings and made herself a little prayer space on a small island in the middle of a creek, where she would not be overheard. There, she would speak aloud to God. She would tell him in detail of her suffering, casually talking to God like a friend. “Do you think that’s right, God?” she would often ask. 

Bell was sold many times, and somehow her divine soul was called property to many cruel men. She had children, all born into slavery. In New York, where they lived, freedom for slaves was slowly starting to be required. She knew her children would be free when they were grown. One day, her enslaver tricked her and broke his promise to free Bell a year earlier than the law required. Bell decided to take the freedom that she was sure God meant for her to have. 

With God close, her head high, and her baby on her hip, she walked off the plantation. God gave her help, in the form of Isaac and Maria Van Wagener, kind abolitionists who helped her buy back her freedom when her enslaver came after her. 

Then Bell had a vision, a sort of prayer she could see. It came to her like lightning. With a bright flash she could see that God was everywhere. God was with her, and there was nowhere she could be away from God. She saw Jesus as a kind friend who loved her. Even free, Bell was so weary- there were so many obstacles for her and such terrible racism, and she was tempted to go back to slavery. This vision gave her enough strength to keep going. God would always be her strength.

Then Bell found out that her son had been illegally sold and moved to the south, away from her and away from his promise of future freedom. There was no freedom for slaves in the south yet. Bell prayed. She later said, “I was sure God would help me get him. Why, I felt so tall within- I felt as if the power of the nation was with me!”

With that conviction, she went to the court and asked to have her son brought back. Over and over again she returned to the court and to the homes of people who could help her, saying, “I will have my child again.” It was often discouraging, and when her son was finally brought into the courtroom, Bell was heartbroken by the wounds he had on his body and in his mind. But Bell found strength in the love of God- and won! Her son was free! Bell was the first Black woman in American history to fight and win her own legal case at the courthouse.

Then one day, years later, Bell had another vision. God told her to leave the home she had made in New York and travel around the United States. She was to tell about the goodness of God and help free the people of their sin of slavery. No longer would the name Isabella suit her, a name given to her while enslaved. With God’s help, Bell found herself a new name. Sojourner, which means to travel. Truth for the words of God’s glory and the sin of the people. 

On Sojourner Truth went, walking and preaching about God’s love and human dignity. She was a tall woman with a powerful presence. She spoke boldly, sometimes in funny or shocking ways. She sang loudly and she told the truth even when it was uncomfortable and to people who did not want to hear it. Wherever she went, she liked to have someone read her the Bible. She especially loved when children would read her God’s word.

Once, Sojourner Truth calmed an unruly crowd who threatened her friends, just by singing and preaching. Her reliance on God brought peace.

Once, Sojourner Truth spoke at a women’s rights convention and shocked the people with her honest and true words about the dignity and power of women. She advocated for equal rights for all women of any color. Her speaking brought justice.

Sojourner Truth often met with Frederick Douglass, and once when he lacked faith and was tempted towards violence she said, “Is God dead?” Her faith brought hope.

Sojourner Truth met with Abraham Lincoln and many other important leaders. Her ideas and efforts helped end slavery, gave rights to Black people, and allowed women to vote. Her courage to speak boldly in rooms full of people who did not look like her brought change.

Through all of it, Sojourner Truth stayed near to God. She always knew Jesus as a kind friend, and although her prayers changed as she got older, the same God who listened when she prayed in the creek was with her as she traveled all over the country- preaching, praying and boldly telling people God’s Truth.