Sojourner Truth's Milestones
First language Dutch
Her first language was Dutch, which she spoke until age 9.
Birth
Sojourner Truth was born Isabella Baumfree in Swartekill, New York, to enslaved parents James and Elizabeth Baumfree.
Family separated by sale
Several siblings were sold away from the family during her childhood.
Sold away from family
Sold at age 9 to John Neely after the death of her enslaver, separated from parents.
Endured multiple enslavers
Sold to Martinus Schryver, then to John Dumont, experiencing harsh treatment.
Birth of daughter Diana
Gave birth to her first child, Diana, the result of rape by John Dumont.
Fell in love with Robert
Fell in love with Robert, a slave from a neighboring farm; their relationship was forcibly ended.
Marriage to Thomas
Married fellow enslaved man Thomas; had children Peter, Elizabeth, and Sophia.
Escaped slavery
Escaped slavery with her infant daughter Sophia, finding refuge with the Van Wagenen family.
Became Christian
Became a devout Christian and joined the Methodist church in Kingston, NY.
Won court case for son
Became the first Black woman to win a court case against a white man, regaining custody of her son Peter.
Moved to New York City
Moved to New York City, joined the John Street Methodist Church.
Worked for Prophet Matthias sect
Worked as housekeeper for Prophet Matthias's religious sect, later acquitted of all charges after a murder trial.
Lost contact with son Peter
Lost contact with her son Peter, who went to sea and was never heard from again.
Changed name to Sojourner Truth
Changed her name after a religious calling and began traveling as a Methodist preacher.
Joined Northampton Association
Joined the Northampton Association of Education and Industry, a utopian abolitionist community in Massachusetts.
Delivered first anti-slavery speech
Delivered her first anti-slavery speech, encouraged by abolitionists.
Published memoir
Published 'The Narrative of Sojourner Truth: A Northern Slave,' dictated to Olive Gilbert.
Spoke at National Women's Rights Convention
Spoke at the first National Women's Rights Convention in Worcester, Massachusetts.
'Ain't I a Woman?' speech
Delivered her famous 'Ain't I a Woman?' speech at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention in Akron.
Helped reorganize Michigan Anti-Slavery Society
Helped reorganize the Michigan Anti-Slavery Society in Adrian, Michigan.
Moved to Battle Creek
Moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, joining a Spiritualist utopian community.
Helped recruit Black troops
Helped recruit Black troops for the Union Army during the Civil War.
Worked for Freedman's Relief Association
Worked for the National Freedman's Relief Association in Washington, D.C., improving conditions for African Americans.
Met Abraham Lincoln
Met President Abraham Lincoln at the White House to discuss Black troops and equality.
Rode streetcars to desegregate
Rode Washington, D.C. streetcars to help force their desegregation.
Advocated for land grants
Petitioned the U.S. government for land grants to former enslaved people.
Continued national speaking tours
Continued to lecture across the U.S. on abolition, women's rights, and prison reform.
Attempted to vote
Attempted to vote in the presidential election but was turned away.
Death
Sojourner Truth died in Battle Creek, Michigan, after a lifetime of activism.