Sojourner Truth Monument, Battle Creek, MI

Sojourner Truth, slave turned human rights activist, spent her life fighting for equality, not just for herself, but for all. The Sojourner Truth Memorial in Battle Creek, Michigan is dedicated to her memory. Although born a slave and never formally educated, Sojourner dedicated her life to speaking out for human rights including abolition and women's suffrage as well as for orphans and the infirm.

Truth walked away from her master's home, declaring her own freedom in the 1820's and was officially emancipated a year later. She became the first black woman to win a court case against a white slaveholder when her son was illegally sold to a slave owner in Alabama. Originally named Isabella; she adopted the name Sojourner, saying, "The Spirit calls me, and I must go" and the last name Truth.

Truth began speaking out against slavery. She also attended some of the early Women's Rights conventions, including one in Akron, Ohio where she gave her now famous "Ain't I a Women" speech about unequal treatment for black people.

She not only spoke about equal rights, she fought for them. A century before Rosa Parks refused to leave her bus seat; Sojourner Truth was demanding equal treatment on public transportation.

Truth championed equal rights until her death in 1883 around the age of 86.

Truth, living up to her adopted name, traveled constantly, but according to her memoirs considered Battle Creek, Michigan, her hometown.

In 1999, the twelve-foot bronze statue, created by artist Tina Allen, was dedicated in a national ceremony at Battle Creek's Monument Park.