(SKILLMAN, NJ) -- The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, central New Jersey’s only Black history museum, presents “Meet Sojourner Truth,” a live theatrical performance about the life of activist, abolitionist, and former slave Sojourner Truth, at 6:00pm (Eastern time) this Tuesday, February 8, on Zoom.
SSAAM invites students, teachers, history buffs, and members of the general public to travel back in time and learn more about the life and work of Sojourner Truth through an immersive performance by educator and actor Dr. Daisy Century of American Historical Theatre. An audience Q&A will take place after the performance. The full event will last approximately one and a half hours. Zoom details can be found online here.
Sojourner Truth was a prominent African American abolitionist and women’s rights activist of the 19th century. Born into slavery in New York, Truth escaped to freedom with her infant daughter in 1826 and went on to advocate for social justice throughout her life. Truth would become an influential public speaker, alongside contemporaries Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony. She gave her most famous speech, later titled “Ain’t I a Woman?,” at a women’s rights convention in 1851.
“Sojourner Truth was an extraordinary woman who overcame immense obstacles to fight for change and equality in an unjust society,” said SSAAM Executive Director Donnetta Johnson. “SSAAM is proud to recognize this American heroine with this online special event.”
“Meet Sojourner Truth” is presented as part of SSAAM’s slate of 2022 Black History Month events. Each week in February, the museum is debuting new, original programming as part of its mission to share the history and culture of African Americans in the Sourland Mountain region and beyond. Last week, the museum released a playlist of inspiring gospel music specially curated by SSAAM co-founders Elaine Buck and Beverly Mills, as well as a video presentation by Board member Catherine Fulmer-Hogan tracing the connections between African American music and social change in American history. On February 16, Joanna Canady Brown of the Lawrence Township restaurant The Gingered Peach will join other food lovers to present a “cook-along” demonstration on how to make delicious African American dishes. On February 22, SSAAM will celebrate long-time Sourland Mountain resident Evelyn Brooks’s upcoming 101st birthday with a video interview and oral history.
