Ohio Women's Convention at Akron in 1851

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"The Proceedings of the Woman's Rights Convention" "The Proceedings of the Woman's Rights Convention" held at Akron, Ohio 1851.gif
"The Proceedings of the Woman's Rights Convention"

The Ohio Women's Convention at Akron in 1851 met on May 28-29, 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.

Contents

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 Frances 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] It was published by journalist Marius Robinson in The Anti-Slavery Bugle on June 21, 1851. [7] [8]

Legacy

In 1981, an Ohio Historical Marker was unveiled on the site of the Universalist "Old Stone" Church in Akron where Sojourner Truth gave her "Ain't I a Woman?" speech on May 29, 1851. [9] [10] Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza, which includes a statue of her by sculptor and Akron native Woodrow Nash, opened in Akron in 2024. [11] [12]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "First Women's Rights Movement". Ohio History Central. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  2. "Sojourner Truth - Women's Rights National Historical Park". U.S. National Park Service. September 2, 2017. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  3. "WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE". Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. Case Western Reserve University. June 9, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  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. Conn, Jennifer (April 4, 2023). "Sojourner Truth statue to honor Akron's role in women's suffrage movement". Spectrum News1. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  6. "The proceedings of the Woman's Rights Convention, held at Akron, Ohio, May 28 and 29, 1851". Library of Congress. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  7. "Compare the Two Speeches". The Sojourner Truth Project.
  8. Bayram, Seyma (May 21, 2021). "Supporters raising money for statue commemorating Sojourner Truth's 'Ain't I a Woman' speech in Akron". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  9. "Site of Sojourner Truth's 'Ain't I A Woman' Speech". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  10. Remarkable Ohio (1981). 6-77 Site of Sojourner Truth's Speech on Women's Rights (Ohio Historical Marker). Columbus, Ohio: Ohio History Connection. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  11. Clawson, Kerry (July 19, 2024). "Akron sculptor inspired by Sojourner Truth" . Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  12. Becka, Megan (May 30, 2024). "Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza, statue unveiled in Akron". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved July 22, 2024.