January Meeting Examines The Life of Celebrated Abolitionist and Women’s Rights Activist Sojourner Truth

Regarded as one of the nineteenth century’s most important human rights advocates, Sojourner Truth delivered what is considered one of the most significant abolitionist and women’s rights speeches in American history just a few miles from Hudson when she spoke at the Second Women’s Rights Convention in Akron in 1851.  On January 11, guests at the Hudson Heritage Association’s general meeting will learn about Truth’s life and the work to memorialize her significance in history. A dramatization of Truth’s historic speech, “Ain’t I a Woman,” will be part of the program.

Isabella Baumfree was born in 1797 to a New York slave owner who refused to honor the New York Anti-Slavery Law of 1827.  Taking her life into her own hands, Baumfree walked away from bondage and subsequently experienced a religious conversion and took the name Sojourner Truth.  She became an itinerant preacher, became involved in the abolitionist movement and also took up the cause of women’s rights.  She spoke out for the rights of women and African Americans until her death in 1883.

HHA’s January meeting, to be held at Barlow Community Center, will feature members of The Sojourner Truth Project in Akron and will include background on the life of the formerly enslaved woman as well as an update on the project designed to recognize Truth’s work and the suffrage centennial in Summit County. Thanks to the efforts of many volunteers and through contributions community-wide, as well as support from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza will be dedicated on North High Street, beside the United Way building, in May 2024. More information about the project can be found at https://www.truthstatue.org/

Presenters at HHA’s meeting will include Leianne Neff Heppner, President & CEO, The Summit County Historical Society of Akron; Towanda Mullins, Chair, Sojourner Truth Project – Akron; Margaret Maurer, Education Committee Chair for Sojourner Truth Project-Akron; and Hazel Burney Malone, retired teacher, Akron Public Schools.

The January 11 meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m., is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the presentation.