Sojourner Truth standing, a cane in her right hand; shoulders turned away from the camera. Wears a dress with long sleeves, and eyeglasses. White bonnet on her head and a white shawl over the shoulders. Face turned slightly away from the camera, and eyes gazing at the camera. Holds a handbag in the crook of her left arm. Captioned on the image at the bottom is this phrase: “I sell the shadow to support the substance” Sojourner Truth. 

I sell the shadow to support the substance, Sojourner Truth.  Creation: 1864. Photographer: Unknown. Collection: Cartes de visite. Photographs and Prints Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Sojourner Truth

Transcript below

Sojourner Truth

Born around 1797 in Ulster County, New York. Sold at nine at an auction for $100. Compelled to marry an older slave, Thomas, by her enslaver in 1817. Had a son, and two daughters. Escaped to freedom in 1826 with one of her daughters. Sued and won in court against a white man for illegally selling her son at 5 years of age. June 1, 1843, changed her name from Isabella Van Wagner to Sojourner Truth. Devoted her life to Methodism and the abolition of slavery. In the 1850s, began touring regularly, speaking about slavery and human rights. Died in 1883.

 

End of Transcript

The New York Public Library believes that this item is in the public domain under the laws of the United States, but did not make a determination as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries.