Ohio Women's Convention at Akron in 1851

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.

"The Proceedings of the Woman's Rights Convention"

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] The church was located in downtown Akron, but is no longer standing.[9]

Legacy

In late 2023, the Summit Suffrage Centennial Committee is due to unveil a statue and plaza in honor of Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman” speech. The commissioned pièce de résistance was designed and will be cast by local and internationally renowned artist Woodrow Nash. [10] The bronze statue will be displayed in Sojourner Truth Memorial Plaza, which will be located next to where the Convention was held on High Street in Akron. Dion Harris, Landscape Architect for Summit Metro Parks, designed the plaza.[11] The groundbreaking for the Plaza took place in August 2022.[12]

See also

References
  1. "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 July 3, 2021.
  10. "Statue". Sojourner Truth Statue Fund.
  11. Martin, Shayla (February 2, 2023). "How This U.S. City Is Honoring Sojourner Truth's Activism Through Preservation The Sojourner Truth Memorial Plaza in Akron, Ohio, set to open in late spring 2023". Veranda.
  12. Marotta, Eric (August 19, 2022). "Construction of Sojourner Truth Memorial Plaza Marks Decades-Long Dream". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
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