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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 be in a fix pretty soon. But what’s all this talking about? That man over there says that a woman need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere.
Nobody ever helps me into carriages, over mud-puddles, or give 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? (intellect) 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 many rights as men, cause Christ wasn’t a woman! 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 to say…
Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I A Woman?” speech given in 1851 at the Women’s Convention in Akron, Ohio…
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authentic woman 
I love that speech. In fact, I’d been thinking about it lately. I love that line “Ain’t I a woman.” I heard a student do it for Speech competition, and thought she did a great job. Here I am dealing with my own van issues, hit a deer over the weekend, and think “Ain’t I a woman” for being so brave and strong and handling my own crisis. Knowing what I can deal with on my own, and what I need help with, and finding out who to ask.
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Mary,
It’s my all time favorite speech because it means so much for all women of the world! This brave woman who broke down racial & gender barriers…Had to write it because I went to sleep with Sojourner on my mind:) We do think alike!
Best,
Clara
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Clara, she was a brave and honest woman. Anyone who bears 13 children and has to see most of them leave to be slaves deserves a very honored place in heaven, in my book. What heartache! And yet, what spunk! I’d never heard this speech before, sad to say, but happy to say I’ve read it now!
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Roxane- Glad you get to read “Ain’t I A Woman” here! This is the speech that became a summation for women like Sojourner and what defines their journey to becoming…sorta a freedom speech from oppression and injustice because of the color of ones’ skin…
She became one of my most favored heroes:)
Peace,
Clara.
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Clara, it’s a shame it’s taking me so long to be introduced to this, so I offer you my gratitude. I sort of learned this truth growing up as a white minority. Kind of backwards from what many experience, I know, but as a young girl, I was made to feel ashamed in many ways of being white, growing up among the Lakota, who were very proud of their heritage.
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Roxane, sadly, you are not alone! There has always been a cultural & racial divide in our world , due in part to ignorance and fear. As children, we have little, or no say in the matter.
Thank God as adults, we can learn from each other and teach our children differently than what we knew…All men/women & children are children of God, the most high, and no one is greater than another…
Peace & blessing,
Clara.
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Clara, thank you! Thank you for posting this speech Sojourner was an amazing woman that shed light on just about all of America! It’s 2011, but I often find myself thinking aint i a woman and telling my counterparts that I AM just like you ARE! Continue to shine, uplift, and educate! Peace & blessing
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Elora,
You are so welcome! And thanks for adding to the truth of knowing that we are enough! There were well over 200 visits to Sojourner’s “Ain’t I a Woman?” since posting it! That’s so awesome, isn’t it?
Peace and blessing!
Clara
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