“Ain’t I A Woman?”

“If the first woman that 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” Born in Hurley, New York as a slave Was the youngest of nine children Her Mom taught her to never lie never steal and trust in god She could not read our quote the bible but was a very powerful speaker

She spoke only Dutch and her new master spoke only English the master’s wife beat her to make her speak the right language She was sold to two different owners her Mom was called Mau Mau Bett Her dad was called Baumfree She was a preacher, an abolitionist, and an activist for the rights of black men and women believed greatly in gods love Mau Mau Bett died after she was sold A few days later Baumfree died

Belle was forced to marry Thomas although she loved someone else Over twelve years they had five children Isabelle taught her children what Mau Mau Bett

Her owner said he would let her go a year early but he lied She got inspired to run away when he did not let her go She was helped by the Quaker family They paid twenty dollars for her and five for her baby They let her free Belle’s boy, Peter was sold so belle went to court and got him back This was an unique case because a black woman won

Isabelle changed her name to Sojourner Truth Her and Olive Gilbert wrote The Narrative of Sojourner Truth she visted Abraham Lincoln in 1869 She fought hard for blacks till she was too old and weak She moved back with family and friends till Isabelle Van Wagner also known as Sojourner Truth died in 1883