Speaking of weird looking women disrupting meetings.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

'Sojourner Truth' is the name of a man now lecturing in Kansas City. He could only be called a 'sojourner' there, for truth could not abide in that place long as a permanent resident."--St. Louis Dispatch.

"Considerable ignorance is displayed in the first sentence, and an unusual regard for truth in the last." --Leavenworth Times, Jan. 18, 1872.

"Ignorance of the sex of this noted personage, Sojourner Truth, by the writer of the above, is proof of wonderful lack of general information. Certainly, knowledge does not sojourn in that head, and truth without knowledge has but poor dispatch in the affairs of men and women."--Kansas City Journal, Jan. 19, 1872.



Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio, 1851

Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all 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? That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or negroes' 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.

[MadMaddie]

1. A very brave woman......

[yellerpup]

2. Nobody like this freedom fighter

And ain't she a woman! K&R :kick:

[Cerridwen]

3. Scheduled speaker.

The reports I've read show she was a scheduled speaker or was "given the floor" by the President of the organization in which to present her story. She didn't grab the bullhorn nor the microphone nor did she jump into camera range; and she was there to support the message of the women gathered; not to distract.

She worked in concert with the "body" (or at least the "head") of the group; she upbraided the men and taught the women while she was at it. And they heard her. It's called class; can't define it, can't describe it; can't wear it or buy it; most people know it and respond positively to it when they see it.

The reports vary as to whether or not she was a welcome addition before she began her speech. They all agree, she was mightyly applauded at the conclusion of her speech. She was a rebel who stood with her sisters and brothers and who taught them that their, supposedly different, interests were in fact their common interests.

One version: link

The following spring in 1851, women s rights activists gathered in Akron, Ohio. When none of the women could quiet the clergy who had come to heckle, Sojourner Truth came forward. Despite hissing opposition, the chair, Frances Gage, rose to present Truth as the next speaker. Truth turned her attention to a clergyman who had just mocked women as too helpless to be entrusted with the vote. "The man over there says women need to be helped into carriages and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages or over puddles, or gives me the best place -- and ain't I a woman?" By the time she was finished, the disrespect had turned to a roar of approval, with many in the audience in tears. Truth would go on to become one of the well-known and best-loved champions of the rights of women.

Another version link

There were very few women in those days who dared to "speak in meeting"; and the august teachers of the people were seemingly getting the better of us, while the boys in the galleries, and the sneerers among the pews, were hugely enjoying the discomfiture, as they supposed, of the "strong­minded." Some of the tender­skinned friends were on the point of losing dignity, and the atmosphere betokened a storm. When, slowly from her seat in the corner rose Sojourner Truth, who, till now, had scarcely lifted her head. "Don't let her speak!" gasped half a dozen in my ear. She moved slowly and solemnly to the front, laid her old bonnet at her feet, and turned her great speaking eyes to me. There was a hissing sound of disapprobation above and below. I rose and announced "Sojourner Truth," and begged the audience to keep silence for a few moments.

[ninkasi]

4. What a magnificent woman

What a true heroine for anyone striving for equal rights. She was without equal. I can't imagine the pain of bearing 13 children, only to see them sold into slavery.

[EFerrari]

5. Don't even start with me.

:rofl:

K&R

[senseandsensibility]

6. I am speechless.

I have read a little about Sojourner before and knew she was a heroine, but for some reason, the part about bearing thirteen children with most sold into slavery was missing. Or I don't remember it. Again, I am speechless in the face of such suffering and bravery.

[Duncan Grant]

7. Snap. K&R

Well done! :applause:

[Solly Mack]

8. :)

:)

[WinkyDink]

9. When I taught, I made sure my h.s. juniors read that speech. SJ was awesome!

[live love laugh]

10. Wow. Fitting tribute during Women's History Month. Thanks. n/t

[senseandsensibility]

11. I just have to kick this!

:kick:

[femrap]

12. Me too....nt

[me b zola]

13. !

:thumbsup:

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. YES!!

Thanks for this. Great great post!!

:yourock:

[AliceWonderland]

15. Bravo! Beautiful, beautiful.... n/t

[sojourner]

16. great post! K & R!!

[barbtries]

17. i love that!

if only cause of bein' a woman - double u oh em eh en.

[Forkboy]

18. Alrighty then....

:rofl:

What a great post!

[stevedeshazer]

19. K & R

No comment needed.

[mondo joe]

20. Sojourner Truth was invited to speak. Now imagine someone in a pink tutu mugging behind

her and bouncing around during Sojourner Truth's moment to speak.

[butterfly77]

21. K&R...

[femmedem]

22. How I wish I could have met her.

Thanks for the reminder.