Sojourner Truth

Everyone has a hero. A hero has to be willing to help other people. A hero needs to be honest and kind to others. A hero should be brave and not give up when they lose.

Sojourner Truth was born in 1797 in Swaretekill, Ulster County, New York. She was originally born as Isabella Baumfree. She was one of thirteen children to slave parents. She was sold several times and suffered many hardships as a slave. She married a man named Thomas and they had five children together. In late 1826 she escaped slavery with her infant daughter, Sophia. She had to leave her other children behind because they were not legally freed until they served as bound servants until their twenties.

Once freed, she worked as a women's rights activist in the early 1800s. In 1828, she won a landmark lawsuit to recover her son Peter, illeagally sold into slavery in Alabama. She also worked for Elijah Pierson as a preacher at a local church where she preached about God and other religious matters. In 1833, she won a slander lawsuit against Prophet Matthias, who also murdered Pierson in Sing Sing, New York. She eventually moved back to New York City to keep her son Peter out of trouble in the 1860s. She later then died November 1883 in Battle Creek, Michigan. She chose the name "Sojourner" because it meant traveler and "Truth" meant real or genuine.

I would consider Sojourner Truth as a hero to others near and far. While working as a women's rights activist, it wasn't just for those in the city or state, but for those all over the country. While working as a preacher in New York, she converted herself to Christianity. She helped others who didn't believe in God to see that there really is a God.

As you can see, Sojourner Truth is a description of one of my heroes. When she helped to support the women's rights, she was showing kindness. Being not afraid to say what she thought, was honesty and courage. Sojourner Truth has proven herself to be a terrific leader and that is why I chose her a a hero.