On February 11, St. Mary’s Woods welcomed “Sojourner Truth”—a dramatic portrayal of the African-American abolitionist and women’s rights activist of the same name.

A slave from the state of New York, Sojourner was the first black woman to win her case against a white man, winning her son back from slavery in Alabama in 1828.  She talked to us about “Ain’t I A Woman” just like she did to the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in 1851. It was amazing, thought-provoking, and emotional to learn of the pain and adversity that Sojourner endured.

Evelyn Allen of Richmond portrayed the important historical figure of Sojourner and even sang a spiritual, “All God’s Chillin Be Free.”  The audience was so impressed with her detailed depiction of Sojourner, including her dress, cane, and southern dialect.