Sojourner Truth: African-American Women During The Civil War

Modern day feminism has come a long way since it’s beginning. During the Civil War era, women were looked upon as property. Women in the 19th century had limited options; they either cooked, cleaned or tended to their husbands. Slaves were similar, in the sense that they were ultimately property. They didn’t have a voice and were abused in the worst ways possible. So, what was it like to be a female slave? Well, Sojourner Truth was an African American woman living during the Civil War era as a slave. She was one of the most impactful African American women in the Civil War because of her work as a women’s activist, her efforts to aid African American troops, and her work to end slavery.

Sojourner Truth was against slavery because of her first-hand

The Civil War was about the treatments of slaves and why slavery should be abolished. When the Union was fighting the Confederates, multiple African Americans volunteered because they felt they needed to be part of the cause (29). One flaw was that many African American troops were discriminated against, leading to a lack of supplies, such as food, weapons, and clothes (29). Most of the time, the weapons would be broken, or they would run out of ammo. Food disappeared quickly, and their uniforms were tattered and the fitting was wrong (30). Truth decided that she would do something about it. Truth used her funds to purchase needed supplies for African American Troops (30). One example of this is when she bought supplies for troops in Battle Creek, Michigan. She donated supplies to said troops (Deford 47). Truth donated almost two hundred dollars. Two hundred dollars back then is an estimated 6,000 now (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Another example of when Sojourner Truth helped out African American troops, is when she helped their families (Savage 4). In 1863, there were many reportings of kidnappings of African American children in Virginia. They were kidnapped to be sold into slavery. The authorities refused to help and threatened to throw anyone who complained into jail (5). When Sojourner Truth heard this, she stopped her speeches and traveled to Virginia. She successful in tracking down the missing children. Truth saved them from misery, torture, and mental abuse (“Sojourner Truth A Life And Legacy”). Her efforts to aid African American troops led to them being more prepared. Her skills in Freedmen’s Village led to many children being spared of