Ohio Women's Convention at Akron in 1851

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"The Proceedings of the Woman's Rights Convention"

The Ohio Women's Convention at Akron in 1851 met on 28-29 May 1851 at Akron, Ohio. There, the abolitionist and preacher, Sojourner Truth, delivered one of the most famous speeches in American history. The speech, which did not have a title at the time, became known as the 'Ain't I a Woman?' speech.

History[]

The Ohio Women's Convention at Akron met for two days on May 28-29, 1851 in Akron, Ohio.[1] The convention was led by Francis Dana Barker Gage, who had previously presided over a similar event in McConnelsville.[1] The convention was not well received locally and several men, including local ministers, heckled speakers at it.[1] During the convention, one of the speakers was the abolitionist and preacher, Sojourner Truth, who gave what became one of the most notable speeches in American women's history.[2] Without a title at the time, the speech later became known under the title of 'Ain't I a Woman?'[3] Truth was the only black woman in attendance at the conference and many of the other women present did not want her to speak.[4] Truth delivered the speech from the steps of the Old Stone Church, on the second day of the convention.[5][6] The church was located in downtown Akron, but is no longer standing.[7] It was published by journalist Marius Robinson in The Anti-Slavery Bugle on June 21, 1851.[8][9]

Legacy[]

In 2022 the Summit Suffrage Centennial Committee is due to unveil a statue of Sojourner Truth in Akron, commemorating the speech.[5] The commissioned work is made of bronze, ten feet tall and will be cast by the local artist .[5]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "First Women's Rights Movement - Ohio History Central". ohiohistorycentral.org. Retrieved 2021-01-09.
  2. ^ Falls, Mailing Address: 136 Fall Street Seneca; Us, NY 13148 Phone:568-0024 Contact. "Sojourner Truth - Women's Rights National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  3. ^ "WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE". Encyclopedia of Cleveland History | Case Western Reserve University. 2021-06-09. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  4. ^ Logan, Shirley Wilson (1995). With Pen and Voice: A Critical Anthology of Nineteenth-century African-American Women. SIU Press. ISBN 978-0-8093-1875-9.
  5. ^ a b c "Sojourner Truth statue to honor Akron's role in women's suffrage movement". spectrumnews1.com. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  6. ^ "The proceedings of the Woman's Rights Convention, held at Akron, Ohio, May 28 and 29, 1851". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  7. ^ "Site of Sojourner Truth's 'Ain't I a Woman' Speech". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  8. ^ "Compare the Two Speeches". The Sojourner Truth Project.
  9. ^ Bayram, Seyma. "Supporters raising money for statue commemorating Sojourner Truth's 'Ain't I a Woman' speech in Akron". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
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