Sojourner Truth the first African American woman with a memorial bust in the U.S. Capitol

  First Lady Michelle Obama & Sojourner Truth. APPhoto/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Sojourner Truth is the first African American woman to have a memorial bust in the U.S. Capitol.

The National Congress of Black Women, Inc. (NCBW) presented  the memorial bust of Sojourner Truth,  the first African American woman to have a memorial bust in the United States Capitol building. Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Nancy Pelosi were among those at the ceremony.

Sojourner Truth was born Isabella Baumfree, one of thirteen children born to slaves James and Elizabeth Baumfree, not in the south which is usually associated with slavery, but in the State of New York. She and her family suffered physically and emotionally, as she was sold and re-sold over the years. After her emancipation, she went to court over the illegal sale of her son and became the first black woman to go to court against a white man and win the case.

Truth changed her name to Sojourner Truth in 1843. She traveled and preached about abolition and was a strong supporter of women’s rights. Truth’s memoirs were published as The Narrative of Sojourner Truth: A Northern Slave. She was nearly six feet tall, and was an impressive speaker. Her most famous speech, “Ain’t I a Woman” was given in 1851 at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention. She was later a resident of Massachusettes, the location of one of many memorials to her. She is a fitting choice for this honor.

"This accomplishment has been a struggle, but at the National Congress of Black Women, we have learned that it is from our struggles that we gain our victories. We never gave up no matter what stood in our way. This bust of Sojourner Truth in the U.S. Capitol is an honor to all women, and will forever serve as a part of our history that celebrates the right to vote for all women," says Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq., National Chair of NCBW.

"The movement to bring Sojourner Truth's memorial to the Capitol began more than 10 years ago…” Williams continued. “We are also grateful to finally see 'Truth in the Capitol' getting the recognition she truly deserves. We could not have done this without our many donors from all over the country."

"Sojourner Truth inspired generations of women to demand equality and who later would dare to reach for the ballot. Her Memorial, the first to a black woman in the U.S. Capitol, is a milestone, not just for African Americans and women, but for all Americans," said President Barack Obama.

No tickets are required for free admission to the Capitol Visitor Center. The exhibition includes a display of original documents from the National Archives and the Library of Congress. Original artifacts, videos, and architectural models illustrate the history of Congress and of the Capitol building. Tickets are required for tours of the historic Capitol and may be needed for other special events.