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Delivered at the Women's Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio
Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?
That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man – when I could get it – and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?
Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?
Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.
If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again!
Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say.
The first African American woman to speak publicly on political issues
Feeling a deep solemnity of soul, in view of our wretched and degraded situation, and sensible of the gross ignorance that prevails among us, I have thought proper thus publicly to express my sentiments before you.
All the nations of the earth are crying out for liberty and equality. Away, away with tyranny and oppression! And shall Afric's sons be silent any longer? Far be it from me to recommend to you either to kill, burn, or destroy. But I would strongly recommend to you to improve your talents; let not one lie buried in the earth. Show forth your powers of mind.
Though black your skins as shades of night,
Your hearts are pure, your souls are white.
From the moment I experienced the change I felt a strong desire, with the help and assistance of God, to devote the remainder of my days to piety and virtue, and now possess that spirit of independence that, were I called upon, I would willingly sacrifice my life for the cause of God and my brethren.
May the time come when our churches shall be as watchful over their female members, as they are over their male members; when the leading men of the church shall feel the same solicitude for the spiritual welfare and improvement of the female portion of the church, as they do for the male.
On the unique voice and experience of Black women
The silence of the South, like the silence of the proverbial woman, may be of more value than could be the garrulity and chatter of a thousand tongues. But one muffled strain in the Silent South, a jarring chord and a vague and uncomprehended cadenza has been and still is the Negro. And of that muffled chord, the one mute and voiceless note has been the sadly expectant Black Woman.
One important witness has not yet been heard from. "When and where I enter, in the quiet, undisputed dignity of my womanhood, without violence and without suing or special patronage, then and there the whole Negro race enters with me."
The Black woman is confronted by both a woman question and a race problem, and is as yet an unknown or an unacknowledged factor in both. Nevertheless, have any of the great national or social questions ever been settled without her? She was present at the creation of our country, and she has been the silent power ever since.
I believe in women and believe the elevation of the woman is the elevation of the race, and the great mission of women today is to come into a clear knowledge of what their mission is and not to do aught else till the last vestige of sex-oppression is swept away.
The first woman authorized to preach in the African Methodist Episcopal Church
I was born in Cape May, New Jersey, on the 3d day of February, in the year of our Lord 1783. My parents were not so rigorous in pointing me to the standard of perfection in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It was during a period of deep mental anguish, as I lay upon my bed one night, that my soul was illuminated with heavenly light, and I was enabled to behold the wonderful works of the Almighty in a new and astonishing light. I was filled with unspeakable joy at the discovery of free grace.
From this season I became deeply impressed with the word of God, and a conviction was wrought in my soul that I must preach the gospel. But this call was received with opposition even from those in the church. Yet I felt constrained by the love of Christ to make known His wonderful works.
And though my soul has been filled with anguish at times, yet the Lord has always been faithful to sustain me, and to give me grace sufficient for my trials. For it is written, "My grace is sufficient for thee," and I have found this promise to be abundantly true in my experience.
I traveled and preached in all the principal cities in the United States, and not only preached the Gospel to my own people but to the white people also. Many were astonished that such signs and wonders should follow the preaching of a woman.