Sojourner Truth

Have you ever noticed when someone important walked in the room? I'm not referring to the flashy dressed platinum smile plastic person. I am referring to someone who carries within themselves a beauty that is indescribable and not noticeable to the naked eye. These people are great influencers, who see the world in a different light. They see the world outside the box, the glass half full, and may see a different shade of blue in the sky. When they walk in the room, you take notice and perhaps sit up taller, perk your ears wider, and listen to every word. The very tone of their voice rests softly in your soul, and change happens.

Isabella Baumfree, also known by her self given name, “Sojourner Truth”, made change happen. Ms. Baumfree was born into slavery at Swartekill, New York in 1797. In pure bravery, she escaped with her infant daughter to freedom in 1826. She became the first black woman to win her son in court against a white man.

In 1851, at a Women's Rights Convention that was being held in Akron, Ohio, Sojourner Truth, delivered a powerful message on racial inequalities titled, Ain't I a Woman. Here is her very speech that still rings a powerful tone - today.

“ Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! 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? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say.”

Sojourner Truth was marvelous, simply because she told it like it is, reminding women that we are special. I don't know about you, but I have sat up and paid attention to her.

- Donna Foute

Martha Washington

Martha Washington 

1st Lady of the United States

There are many images of Martha Washington in her later years, we often forget that she was a gorgeous gem when she married George. When George met Martha she was a widow from her prior husband Daniel Parke Custis, a wealthy planter, who was twenty years older when she was just only eighteen. Daniel and Martha had four children, sadly two died very young. Martha's husband Daniel left her to be a widow in 1757. Martha was left with the estate (a very big one). During two years later she was being courted by not only George, but also by a wealthy planter Charles Carter.

George won her heart and they married January 6, 1759. They were 27 in age. Documents report that they were very much in love. Sadly, Martha lost her teenage daughter who died during an epileptic seizure leaving George and Martha was left with one son who was named John, who died during military service in 1781 probably of typhus. George and Martha raised his two children, Eleanor and George. 

Nancy Loane, author of Following the Drum: Women at the Valley Forge Encampment, wrote that Martha was a spiffy dresser, assertive, and definitely a woman of independent means and she was a woman who followed her man. Followed she did. Martha joined her husband George who was leading the fight for freedom in the Revolutionary War. She traveled thousands of miles to be with him, supporting his cause. 

Martha died when she was 70 in 1802. She has been honored in many ways. One honor was that her image was the first image of a woman on the US postage stamp.