Sojurner Truth

First African American Woman to Beat a White Man in Court

Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in New York in the 1700s. When the state began to legislate the emancipation of slaves, Sojourner was promised she would be freed, but her owner changed his mind. So she chose to walk away, freeing herself and her children in the process. Her son Peter, however, had been illegally sold by the man, so she took him to court—and won.