Sojourner Truth: Life and Legacy

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Questions and Answers

What was the initial name Sojourner Truth was given at birth?

Belle

Isabelle (correct)

Sojourner

Mau Mau Bett

What metaphor did Sojourner Truth use to describe the plight of men in her speech?

Caught between a rock and a hard place

Walking a tightrope

Between a hawk and a buzzard (correct)

In a web of deceit

Which of the following best describes Sojourner Truth's approach when faced with hecklers during her speeches?

She would call for security.

She would leave the stage quietly.

She would argue vigorously and confront them. (correct)

She would ignore them entirely.

In what year did Sojourner Truth choose her name to symbolize her mission?

1843 Signup and view all the answers

How did Sojourner Truth feel about her past last names given to her as a slave?

She rejected them and sought a new identity. Signup and view all the answers

Who were some notable figures Sojourner Truth was invited to meet during her lifetime?

Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes Sojourner Truth's education level?

She was illiterate and needed assistance. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of Sojourner Truth's advocacy work?

Women's suffrage and abolition Signup and view all the answers

What significant challenge did Sojourner Truth face during her childhood?

She was often beaten and abused. Signup and view all the answers

What was one way Sojourner Truth learned despite being illiterate?

She learned through family stories and the Bible. Signup and view all the answers

What effect did Sojourner Truth's height and presence have during her speeches?

It commanded attention and respect. Signup and view all the answers

How did Sojourner Truth primarily support her activism after escaping slavery?

Through her stories, poems, and songs. Signup and view all the answers

What was the reaction of some white audiences to Sojourner Truth's speeches?

They were shocked by her confidence. Signup and view all the answers

What did Sojourner Truth feel about the promises made by slaveholders?

They were mainly deceitful and manipulative. Signup and view all the answers

How did Sojourner Truth's involvement with the Quakers aid her after escaping slavery?

They offered her initial refuge and support. Signup and view all the answers

What bold action did Sojourner Truth take in her public speeches regarding her identity?

She emphasized her race and former status directly. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sojourner Truth

Born into slavery in New Paltz, New York, around 1797
Illiterate, yet a powerful advocate for change
Experienced harsh treatment as a child, including beatings and living in a damp, unheated basement.
Witnessed the brutal killing of a fellow slave.
Learned from family stories and the Bible
Used stories, poems, and songs to make a mark on society.
Became involved in the abolitionist movement.
New York State began freeing enslaved people at the end of the 1700s.
Promised freedom in 1826, but not given.
Became a powerful speaker and reformer, touring the country
Used her own experiences to speak out against slavery.
Spoke to both men and women.
A significant figure in the feminist movement.
Used the biblical story of Eve to make a point.
Her lack of formal education didn't stop her
Became a powerful speaker about freedom; women's rights and equality.
Helped escaped slaves on the Underground Railroad
Met with presidents Lincoln and Grant
First African American woman to win a court case against a white person in the US (1828).
Sued slave owner who illegally sold her son and won his freedom.
Used powerful language and speeches to influence people
Known for her powerful speeches against slavery.
Her stories conveyed the harsh reality of slavery, including the mistreatment of enslaved people.
She became known as 'Sojourner Truth' when actively advocating for change.
Her last name after escaping slavery was chosen by her to reflect a new identity.
She travelled widely to speak out against injustice.
Sojourner's name became a powerful symbol of her life's work, not her birth name.
Used her life experiences as a powerful tool in her advocacy.
She persevered despite her illiteracy and harsh experiences.

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Description

Explore the incredible life of Sojourner Truth, an advocate for abolition and women's rights. Born into slavery, she overcame immense challenges to become a powerful speaker and reformer. Learn how her experiences shaped her activism and influenced society.