Sojourner Truth (as recreated by Kathy Woods)

"The Spirit calls me, and I must go."
- Sojourner Truth

Isabella Baumfree was the daughter of slaves and spent her childhood as an abused chattel of several masters. Between 1810 and 1827 she bore at least five children to a fellow slave named Thomas. Just before New York state abolished slavery in 1827, she found refuge with Isaac Van Wagener, who set her free. With the help of Quaker friends, she waged a court battle (the first of it’s kind) in which she recovered her small son, who had been sold illegally into slavery in the South.

She soon took the name Sojourner Truth, and traveled across the country, becoming a well-known abolitionist and advocate for women’s rights. She spent the rest of her life in a dramatic battle on behalf of the downtrodden.

Kathryn Wood’s dramatically re-creates the life and words of this most remarkable woman.  The program joins Sojourner Truth at the end of her life. She recalls her early days as a slave, details her relationship with God, and shares poignant stories of her days walking through this land. Ms. Woods uses Sojourner's own words and the spiritual music she may have sung to recreate this inspiring woman.