Women of Other Faiths
Using common values contained in their respective teachings, women of all religious traditions can work together and collaborate in many areas especially peace building and women’s empowerment. Collectively women of all faiths can learn from each other’s struggles and histories, while showing support for women’s religious leadership roles worldwide. Please contribute to this archive by suggesting women of all faiths to be featured through our recommendation form.
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Sojourner Truth
Known For: Abolitionist, women's rights activist
Dates: 1797-1883
Faith: Christianity
Country: United States
About
Sojourner Truth was born in 1797 with the birth name Isabella Baumfree in a Dutch settlement in New York. She spent her childhood as a slave to several different masters. In 1817, she was forced to marry a fellow slave named Thomas, with whom she had several children.
Although Isabella’s then master Charles Dumont promised her freedom in 1826, a year before New York was to officially award emancipation, he neglected to set her free. Later, Isabella escaped with her daughter and came upon Isaac and Maria Van Wagenens. Isabella soon became involved in the local Methodist community and began preaching. After moving to New York City, she met a passionate missionary named Elijah Pierson and joined his Retrenchment Society, simultaneously supporting herself through domestic employment.
In 1843 Isabella decided to leave New York because she had a supernatural call that asked her to travel and preach. Thereafter, Isabella decided to change her name to Sojourner Truth. She traveled to places such as villages, churches, and camps to preach of God’s goodness. During her travels, she encountered a Utopian community in Massachusetts that introduced her to the concept of abolitionism.
In the 1850s, Sojourner began to devote a great deal of time to women’s rights and suffragist movements. During the Civil War she advocated for slave emancipation and later assisted newly freed slaves through the Freedman’s Relief Association and the Freedman’s Hospital.
After her death in 1883, Sojourner was posthumously honored with several memorials and commemorative markers.
