Sojourner Truth Speech

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On the 30th anniversary of robotic exploration of Mars, NASA selected the name "Sojourner" for the first rover slated to explore the Red Planet, naming it after Sojourner Truth (“NASA Names,”1997). Sojourner Truth was an African-American escaped slave and women's rights activist who rose to prominence as an abolitionist leader and to be a testament to the humanity of enslaved people. The slaves freed before her were not bold enough to do what she has done in her lifespan. Freed African Americans wanted to keep their freedom, so they accepted less than they deserved. I argue, by standing strong in her Christian faith, Sojourner Truth was one of the most instrumental voices changing slaves’ perception of their status and the perception of a …show more content…

In her speech, she challenged the limitations placed upon women in history. She declared, “If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these together ought to be able to turn it back and get it right side up again.” At the time women, in society were seen as submissive and passive. Her speech challenged these ideas and changed the perception of all women in society. This speech was very powerful because it challenged the popular perception that women were only suited for domestic …show more content…

She devoted her life to change her community’s status, perception, and lives. Dedicated to the advancement of her people, she excelled as an abolitionist during her time. By staying grounded in her Christian faith, Sojourner Truth was able to impact the lives of African Americans not only while she was alive, but also into the next century. As we think about her impact in her history, slavery and women’s equality changed through her unique contributions to