Ain't I A Woman! Part I

Welcome ovaries and gentlemen to my first blog. These past couple of months administering Ovaries for Obama on facebook have been very emotional politically, but also very educational. As frustrating and appalling as the recent attacks on women by Republicans have gotten me, they have also inspired me to delve into the history of the women's rights movement. I'll have to say that after reading so much about the women who have fought so hard for so long, I can add "heartbreaking" to my list of recent emotions.  It's such a shame that all of their efforts are dismissed so easily by some.

My choice of subject for my first blog came pretty easy today while I was starting to put together a timeline on my facebook page. I've decided to start at the beginning, with the first feminist on record, an African-American slave name Sojourner Truth. Bless her heart... she must be rolling over in her grave right now.

Isabella Baumfree was born into slavery on a farm in Hurley, New York in 1797.  She had 13 brothers and sisters but never met any of them because they were quickly sold.  She was bought at an auction, along with a few sheep, for $100 in 1806.  Upon the death of her owner she was sold again in 1808.  She was beat fiercely and frequently for miscommunications because she only spoke Dutch.  She began to find refuge in religion during these time which began a habit of praying aloud when scared or hurt. In 1810, she was once more bought for $175 by John Dumont in New Paltz, NY.  Isabella later describes suffering many hardships at the hands of Mrs. Dumont.

When she was 18, she fell in love with another slave named Robert who was owned by another man.  Robert's owner forbade the relationship.  He did not want his slave having a child with a woman he did not own.  Bad for business, so to speak.  One night Robert snuck out without knowing he was being followed by his owner and his son, who beat him savagely, bound him, and dragged him away.  She never saw him again, but gave birth to a daughter, named Diana, shortly afterward.

In 1817, Isabella's owner forced her to marry an older slave named Thomas.  They had four children.  Peter in 1822, James (who died very young), Elizabeth in 1825, and Sophia in 1826.

The abolition of slaves in New York had been legislated since 1799 and was set to happen July 4, 1827.  Dumont had promised he freedom a year before the emancipation but he didn't keep his promise.  She was furious.  She worked until dawn spinning wool in her frustration then escaped with her infant daughter.  Looking back later she famously says:

"I did not run off, for I thought that wicked, but I walked off, believing that to be all right."

She wandered aimlessly, praying for direction, when she arrived at the home of Isaac and Maria Van Wagenen.  Soon after, Dumont arrived, demanding her back and threatening to take her baby.  Isaac then stepped in and offered Dumont $20 to let her stay with them until the state's emancipation took effect.  Dumont accepted and Isabella stayed with Isaac and Maria, who insisted she call them by their names rather than "master" or "mistress".

Stayed tuned for the next installment of Ain't I A Woman.  Isabella tries to retrieve her young son, Peter, settles in New York City, changes her name, and begins to earn an income.






Thank you for reading my first blog and stay tuned for Part 2 of "Ain't I a Woman". Please visit my facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ovaries-for-Obama/371802799497045?ref=tn_tnmn. A special thanks to one of my semi-active friends on the page, Mr. Jay Roberts, who happens to also be my former high school history teacher. Mr. Roberts, I bet you'd never thought in a million years I'd be writing a blog about history. LOL