Sojourner Truth’s 1867 Speech: A Forgotten Milestone in the Fight for Intersectional Equal Rights

Sojourner Truth, an African American abolitionist and women’s rights activist, delivered a powerful speech at the National Equal Rights Convention on May 9, 1867. Despite her pivotal role, this speech and her contributions to intersectional advocacy—linking the rights of African Americans and women—have been largely marginalized or omitted in mainstream historical narratives. The convention itself was a critical gathering aimed at promoting equal rights for all citizens, regardless of race or gender, during the turbulent Reconstruction era following the Civil War. Truth’s speech articulated the inseparability of racial and gender justice, emphasizing that the fight for women’s suffrage could not be fully achieved without addressing the systemic racial oppression Black women faced. Her eloquence challenged dominant suffragist leaders who often prioritized white women’s enfranchisement while sidelining Black women’s rights. This erasure has contributed to a skewed historical memory that credits suffrage victories solely to white women’s activism, neglecting the foundational contributions of Black women like Truth. Recognizing Sojourner Truth’s 1867 speech is vital because it highlights the early articulation of what we now call intersectionality, decades before the term was coined. It reframes the narrative around the suffrage movement and civil rights activism, restoring credit to Black women activists who fought on multiple fronts. This acknowledgment not only honors Truth’s legacy but also enriches our understanding of the complexities within the struggle for equal rights in America.