The Sojourner Truths Speech

The Sojourner Truths speech is one of the most famous speeches ever made in the USA.

Born into slavery, Isabella Baumfree changed her name to Sojourner Truth in 1843 and became a travelling preacher.

Two themes she often spoke about were womens' rights and black rights.

But what made her 1843 speech so powerful and memorable?

Well, it was quite short and yet she connected with her audience.

Also she used certain techniques like repeating a phrase that can have quite an impact.

For example, there are the words And ain't I a woman? in this extract:

And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed, and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me. And ain't I a woman?

Maybe you can sense the power in those words, power which has made the Sojourner Truths speech one so well remembered.

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