1883 - Sojourner Truth Delivers Final Public Speech

On June 1, 1883, Sojourner Truth gave her final public speech in Battle Creek, Michigan. A former slave turned abolitionist, Truth had spent decades traveling the country delivering fiery speeches on race, gender, and justice. Best known for her 1851 “Ain’t I a Woman?” address, Truth was a fierce advocate for both abolition and women’s rights. Her final appearance was a testament to her enduring influence and resilience. Despite illness and age, she stood before a crowd to reiterate her lifelong message: the indivisibility of human dignity. Her passing later that year marked the end of an era, but her legacy continued through generations of activists. June 1 thus becomes a symbolic day to honor her final bow and the prophetic courage of Black women leaders in the long struggle for freedom.