The Inspiring Legacy of Sojourner Truth: A Trailblazer in the Fight for Equality

As DuckAbroad expands the number of inspiring people your family can learn about, today we’re adding Sojourner Truthto the app.

Born Isabella Baumfree in 1797 in Ulster County, New York, Sojourner Truth was born into slavery but escaped with her infant daughter in 1826. After gaining freedom, she became a powerful voice for abolition and women’s rights, traveling across the country to speak at rallies and conventions.

Her most famous moment came in Akron, Ohio, in 1851, where she delivered the unforgettable “Ain’t I a Woman?”speech — a heartfelt challenge to the idea that women, especially Black women, were any less deserving of equality.

You can still visit the places that marked her journey:

• Ulster County, New York: Her birthplace, where the Sojourner Truth Memorial Trail honors her early life.

• Akron, Ohio: Site of the Women’s Rights Convention where her speech changed minds.

• Battle Creek, Michigan: Her final home and resting place, where a statue celebrates her legacy.

“Truth is powerful and it prevails.” – Sojourner Truth

Her story reminds us that change often begins with a single voice — and that even the smallest traveler can grow into a world-changer.

Want to keep exploring inspiring stories like Sojourner Truth’s?

Visit our exploring Black History page to learn about more heroes who shaped the world — from Frederick Douglass to Harriet Tubman — and discover the places where their legacies live on.