Sojourner Truth is known for her "Ain't I a Woman" speech. She was an African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist. She devoted her life to the abolitionist cause and helped to recruit black troops for the Union Army. She also sponsored reforms that were broad and varied, including prison reform, property rights, and universal suffrage.
Truth was born in Swartekill, in Ulster County, New York. When she was born she was enslaved to Colonel Johannes Hardenbergh. After the Colonel's death ownership of her family, the Baumfrees passed to his son, Charles. The Baumfrees were separated after the death of Charles Hardenbergh in 1806. 9-year-old Sojourner was known as "Belle". She was sold at an auction with a flock of sheep for $100. Her new owner was John Neely, a man Truth remembered as harsh and violent. Over the next two years, Truth was sold twice more. Finally coming to reside on John Dumont's property at West Park, NY. During these years Truth learned how to speak English. In 1826 She escaped with her infant daughter. After her escape she learned that her 5-year-old son was illegally sold to a man in Alabama. She took this issue to court and Peter was able to return from the South. This case was one of the first cases in which an African-American woman challenged a white man in court and succeeded. In 1829 she worked as a housekeeper for Elijah Pierson. Later she moved to the home of Robert Matthews, who had a growing reputation as a con man and a cult leader. Shortly after Truth moved Pierson died. Matthews was accused of poisoning Pierson so he could benefit from his fortune. A couple that were part of Matthews cult tried to make it seem like Truth was involved. Since there was an absence of evidence Matthews was set free and he moved west. In 1835 Truth brought a slander suit against the Folgers and won. On June 1st, 1843 Truth devoted her life to the abolition of slavery. In 1844 she joined the Northampton Association of Education and Industry in Northampton, Massachusetts. The organization supported a reform agenda including women’s rights and pacifism. The organization broke up in 1846 Truth’s career was just starting. In 1850 she spoke at the first National Woman's Rights Convention in Worcester, Massachusetts. She began touring with George Thompson. In 1851 Truth delivered her famous “Ain’t I a Woman” speech. She continued to tour the state from 1851 to 1853 working with Robinson to make the antislavery movement publicly known. As her reputation grew she drew larger and more friendly audience.
In 1851, at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention, she delivered an improvised speech. This speech became known as "Ain't I a Woman?". The first printed version of the speech was released by Marius Robinson, editor of an Ohio newspaper The Anti-Slavery Bugle., Robinson had attended the convention and recorded Truth's words himself. It did not include the question "Ain't I a Woman?" even once. The phrase “Ain’t I a Woman?” appeared 1863, 12 years later.