Misha NewtonMs. Sara WilleyHonors English III, Period 619 March 2014Sojourner Truth: Woman ActivistDuring the early 1900s, women and slaves in the United States fought for their freedom in society. These brave slaves and women fought against the laws of that time to earn their rights. Many of these activists became famous during this period, and now in textbooks. A woman who championed the rights of both women and people of color, Sojourner Truth was born into slavery and escaped after the fight for abolitionism began. Sojourner had seen the hardships of being a woman and a slave in her long life. Experiencing the prejudice that came with being a slave and a woman, Sojourner Truth spoke out in glowing speeches about women's rights and slavery in the conventions. Sojourner expressed her support for the abolitionist and women's rights movement with her speech "Ain't I a Woman?" On May 28, 1851, Sojourner Truth gave her most famous speech to the Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio. In the speech, Sojourner went on to express her opinion on women's rights and slave rights. Sojourner expresses how men see women as people who always need a man's assistance. Sojourner contradicted these ideas by sharing how she was treated by men and how it was the opposite. Sojourner uses her life experiences to prove that the argument that all women need men's help is invalid by stating, “I could work as hard and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and even take the whipping ! And aren't I a woman?" Sojourner says she is capable of doing as much as a man and more, but she is not seen as a woman or equal to men because of the color of her skin. Sojourner also states that men have fear of giving women rights, “If my cup will hold nothing but a pint, and your h… in the middle of a sheet of paper… criticizing how Sojourner Truth inspires her to continue the fight for.” women's equality and helping children in today's society. Works Cited Edelman, Marian W., "Ain't I a Woman?" Huffington Post. 01 March 2014. Fitch, Suzanne P. and Roseanne M. Mandziuk. Truth about the State Sabbath School Convention as Speaker: Wit, History and Song. Westport, 1997. Print. Stanton, Elizabeth C. , Susan B. Anthony and Matilda J. Gag, et al. "I am not a woman: Reminiscences of the sojourn in truth." History of women's suffrage. Vol 1. (1881): 114-117. Truth, sojourner, "Am I not a woman?" Women's Convention, Akron, Ohio, May 28-29, 1851. Truth, resident. “The Great Sin of Anti-Color Prejudice” Poem Hunter. Nd Web. 6 March 2014.