Sojourner Truth: An American Abolitionist Quiz

Answer: Baumfree

Isabella Baumfree, later known as Sojourner Truth, was born into slavery in 1797 in Ulster County, New York, though Truth herself wasn't precisely sure of the exact year. Her birth occurred in the midst of a time when slavery was deeply entrenched in American society. Her parents, James and Elizabeth Baumfree, were also enslaved, and Isabella experienced the harsh realities of enslavement from a young age. Though historians are not sure how many siblings she had, the number was believed to have been around ten or twelve. After gaining her liberty, she adopted the name Sojourner Truth and became a prominent abolitionist and women's rights advocate, using her voice to fight against injustice and inequality.

The surname Ross was the birth surname of fellow abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who was born Araminta Ross.

Answer: Dutch

Col. Johannes Hardenbergh Jr., and later his son, were slaveowners who owned the family of Sojourner Truth. He hailed from a Dutch background, with Dutch being his native language. Sojourner Truth was born into his household to Dutch-speaking parents, and she primarily spoke Dutch during her upbringing.

This connection to the Dutch language influenced her speech, as she maintained a distinctive Dutch accent throughout her life. Additionally, due to the limitations of her enslaved upbringing, Sojourner Truth did not have the opportunity to learn to read or write English, highlighting the barriers she had to overcome on her journey to becoming an influential advocate for abolition and women's rights.

Answer: a flock of sheep

At the age of nine, Sojourner Truth faced a pivotal moment in her life when she was sold to John Neely for the sum of $100, along with a flock of sheep. Under Neely's ownership, she experienced the hardships of slavery, enduring physical abuse daily. Neely's treatment of Truth was marked by cruelty and abuse, and she later recounted how he had beat her with a bundle of rods. Later on, he sold her, this time to tavern keeper Martinus Schryver, further highlighting the continuous dehumanizing practice of buying and selling enslaved individuals during that era.

Answer: landscape painter

Charles Catton the younger was a British-born American landscape painter whose father was also an artist. The image provided is one of his paintings. While he gained mild recognition for his creative pursuits, he is perhaps most known for his part in American history as a slaveowner. One distressing incident involved Catton beating a man named Robert, whom Sojourner Truth deeply cared for. Truth never saw the man she loved again, later telling friends that the incident scarred her deeply.

Answer: True

Sojourner Truth's escape from John Dumont marked a turning point in her life. Dumont's harsh treatment of Truth, including subjecting her to both physical and emotional suffering, propelled her towards seeking freedom. Determined to secure a better life, Truth made the brave decision to escape, taking her infant daughter with her.

She found refuge and support from Isaac and Maria Van Wagenen, a kind couple who helped Truth in her transition to freedom. This escape not only liberated Truth from the clutches of slavery but also set her on a path towards becoming a prominent advocate for abolition and equality.

Answer: Her son being illegally sold.

A pivotal moment in Sojourner Truth's journey was her legal case at the New York Supreme Court. The case revolved around her son, Peter, who had been sold illegally to a new owner. Truth courageously pursued justice and won the case, successfully reuniting with her son.

This achievement was significant given the rarity of a black woman prevailing against a white slaveowner in court during that era.

Answer: Frederick Douglass

The meeting between Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass marked a significant moment in their shared dedication to abolitionist efforts. Their encounter was particularly influential during their involvement with the Northampton Association of Education and Industry in Florence, Massachusetts.

This association was a utopian community committed to principles of equality, education, and social reform. Both Truth and Douglass found common ground within this community, using their voices and experiences to advocate for the abolition of slavery and the advancement of civil rights.

Answer: woman

Sojourner Truth's iconic "Ain't I a Woman?" speech, delivered in Akron, Ohio, remains a powerful testament to her advocacy for women's rights and the abolition of slavery. She gave the speech during a women's rights convention in 1851, aiming to emphasize the intersections of gender and race in the fight for equality. Remarkably, Truth delivered her speech extemporaneously, without a written script, which added to the authenticity and impact of her words.

In her eloquent address, she challenged prevailing notions of womanhood and highlighted the strength and resilience of Black women, urging for their inclusion in the ongoing struggle for rights and recognition.

Answer: Abraham Lincoln

Sojourner Truth's dedication to Civil War efforts led her to a significant meeting with President Abraham Lincoln. Her ability to see Lincoln was only made possible through the assistance of a white schoolteacher named Lucy Colman, who helped arrange the meeting. Despite her commitment, Truth faced challenges, having to wait for several hours before meeting with Lincoln due to his busy schedule.

Nonetheless, Truth had this to say about their meeting: "Upon entering his reception room we found about a dozen persons in waiting, among them two colored women. I had quite a pleasant time waiting until he was disengaged, and enjoyed his conversation with others; he showed as much kindness and consideration to the colored persons as to the white. One case was that of a colored woman who was sick and likely to be turned out of her house on account of her inability to pay her rent. The president listened to her with much attention, and spoke to her with kindness and tenderness."

Answer: Mars

The name of the Mars rover Sojourner was suggested by 12-year-old Valerie Ambroise, who won a contest held by NASA to name the rover. This choice reflected the rover's mission to explore the Martian terrain and gather data, paralleling Sojourner Truth's own journey of breaking boundaries and advocating for justice. Just as Truth's legacy continues to inspire social change, the Mars rover Sojourner's exploration symbolized humanity's continuous quest for progress.