Ohio Women's Convention at Akron in 1851 facts for kids
The Ohio Women's Convention at Akron in 1851 was an important meeting held in Akron, Ohio. It took place on May 28 and 29, 1851. At this event, a famous speaker named Sojourner Truth gave one of the most well-known speeches in American history. Sojourner Truth was an abolitionist, meaning she worked to end slavery. She was also a preacher, sharing religious messages. Her speech didn't have a title at the time. Later, it became known as the 'Ain't I a Woman?' speech.
What Happened at the Convention?
The Ohio Women's Convention in Akron lasted for two days. It was held in Akron, Ohio, from May 28 to 29, 1851. Francis Dana Barker Gage led the meeting. She had also led a similar event before.
Not everyone in Akron was happy about the convention. Some men, including local ministers, tried to interrupt the speakers. They would shout comments to bother them.
Sojourner Truth's Famous Speech
During the convention, Sojourner Truth spoke. She was an abolitionist and a preacher. Her speech became one of the most important speeches in the history of women's rights in America. At the time, it didn't have a title. Later, it became known as 'Ain't I a Woman?'.
Sojourner Truth was the only Black woman at the convention. Many of the other women there did not want her to speak. But she did. She gave her speech on the second day of the convention. She spoke from the steps of the Old Stone Church in downtown Akron. This church is no longer there today. A journalist named Marius Robinson wrote down her speech. It was printed in a newspaper called The Anti-Slavery Bugle on June 21, 1851.
Legacy of the Convention
The speech given by Sojourner Truth at the Akron convention is still remembered today. In 2022, a group called the Summit Suffrage Centennial Committee planned to honor her. They planned to put up a statue of Sojourner Truth in Akron. This statue would celebrate her famous speech. The statue is made of bronze and is ten feet tall. A local artist named Woodrow Nash created it.
