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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 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.

History

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b c "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.