Born into slavery in New York State as Isabella, Dutch-speaking, sold several times as a child. Walking free in 1826, she won in court the return of her son, illegally sold south. In 1843, feeling called by the Spirit, she took the name Sojourner Truth and crossed the country preaching against slavery and for the dignity of women, dictating her life story in 1850.
In their own words
Oh, God, I did not know you were so big.
Narrative of Sojourner Truth, 1850, dictated to Olive Gilbert
No, I did not run away; I walked away by day-light.
Narrative of Sojourner Truth, 1850, her answer to her former master
Frederick, is God dead?
Her interjection to Frederick Douglass at an abolitionist meeting, recounted by Douglass himself; engraved on her gravestone at Battle Creek