Ain’t I A Woman? Reverend Addie Wyatt on Sojourner Truth

<p>“I born 13 children and seen almost all sold off into slavery.”</p> <p>Addie L. Wyatt (March 8, 1924 – March 28, 2012) was a leader in the United States Labor movement, and a civil rights activist. Wyatt is known for being the first African-American woman elected international vice president of a major labor union, the Amalgamated Meat Cutters Union. Learn more about Addie <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addie_L._Wyatt'>here</a>.</p> <p>This speech was given at Harvard’s Divinity School on November 2, 2002. Watch the full speech <a href='https://youtu.be/csNSkb3bIrg'>here</a>. </p> <p>Sojourner Truth (1797 – November 26, 1883) was an American <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abolitionism_in_the_United_States'>abolitionist</a> and <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_rights'>women's rights</a> activist. Learn more about Sojourner <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sojourner_Truth'>here</a>. </p> <p>Excerpt of Speech Text:</p> <p>Look at my arms.</p> <p>I have plowed.</p> <p>I have planted and I have gathered into barn and no man could head me.</p> <p>And ain't I a woman?</p> <p>I could work as much and eat as much as any man, when I get it.</p> <p>And bear the lash as well, and ain't I a woman?</p> <p>I born 13 children and seen almost all sold off into slavery.</p> <p>And when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me.</p> <p>And ain't I a woman?</p> <p>I want to dedicate that famous, powerful poem from that great woman preacher Sojourner Truth.</p> <p>God knows she has inspired my little life and have given me much courage in the time of distress, in the time, often, of great pain.</p> <p>When I expect so much to happen, but I have to say to myself, ain't I a woman?</p> <p>About Belief Street Faith and Labor</p> <p>Belief Street Faith and Labor is an EMLab brand produced by <a href='https://twitter.com/EvanMatthewPapp'>Evan Matthew Papp</a> and we are a proud member of the<a href='https://www.laborradionetwork.org/'> Labor Radio Podcast Network</a>. Support media