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Sojourner Truth Women's Suffrage Marker Unveiled in Northampton

The Sojourner Truth Memorial Committee (STMC), Suffrage100MA and the city of Northampton, Massachusetts hosted the Annual Sojourner Truth Memorial Celebration on Sunday, May 28, 2023 at 2pm at the Sojourner Truth Memorial Park in the village of Florence, Northampton. 

Sojourner Truth Suffrage Marker Unveiling

Honoring the legacy of extraordinary abolitionist, suffragist, and activist Sojourner Truth, the event featured the annual scholarship presentation by the STMC and an unveiling of a historic women’s suffrage marker as one of five new Massachusetts marker sites on the National Votes for Women Trail, and live music by the Amherst Area Gospel Choir.

Scroll down for event photos!

Special thanks to all the speakers and performers who participated in our event!

Speaking program list from Sojourner Truth Suffrage Marker.

Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) was an internationally known advocate for justice and equality between the races and sexes during the 19th century. She is honored in American history for her compelling autobiography, for her innumerable speeches against slavery and for women’s rights and for her work on behalf of freedmen after the Civil War. Truth lived in Florence (a village of Northampton) from 1844-1857, during which time she helped establish Florence as a center of antislavery resistance. 

The Sojourner Truth Social Justice Scholarship Award aims to honor young people who carry her heritage forward in their own way. $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to select Hampshire or Hampden County public high school seniors who have been active in social justice efforts and plan to attend college or postsecondary school. 2023 Scholars: Kaz Andrews, Northampton High School; Dahlia Breslow, Northampton High School; Victor F. Cruz-Castro, Amherst Regional High School; La’Tasia Love, Springfield Central High School; Aria M. Norman-Gesuelle, Northampton High School; Ursa Sekou Shabazz, Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Public Charter School; Catherine Thompson, Springfield Central High School.

The Sojourner Truth women’s suffrage marker was funded through a grant by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation®, sponsored by the National Collaborative for Women’s History Sites (NCWHS)’s National Votes for Women Trail (NVWT, and coordinated in Massachusetts by Suffrage100MA. 

Photo Credit: Christopher Winslow Photography

Statue of Sojourner Truth.
Group stands outside singing.
Group of adults stand outside singing.
Outdoor gathering at Sojourner Truth Memorial Park.
Four high school students stand outside holding certificates.
Woman in white stands outside smiling.
Woman stands outside conducting singers.
Man stands outside speaking at podium.
Woman wearing white speaks at podium.
People sit outdoors under purple tent.
Woman stands at podium speaking.
Woman wearing purple sash speaking at podium.
Woman stands at podium speaking.
Man wearing purple sash stands outside speaking at lectern.
Woman wearing purple sash speaking at podium.
Woman stands at podium speaking.
Woman wearing purple sash stands outside speaking at lectern.
Woman stands at podium speaking.
Woman wearing purple sash speaking at podium.
Man stands out podium outdoors speaking.
Group sits outdoors under purple tent.
Group stands outside next to sign covered in purple cloth.
Group pulls covering off purple and white sign outdoors.
Group stands next to purple and white Sojourner Truth women's suffrage marker.
Group of people wearing purple sashes stand outside smiling next to Sojourner Truth marker.
Group stands smiling outside next to Sojourner Truth marker.
Group stands smiling outside next to Sojourner Truth marker.
Group stands smiling outside next to Sojourner Truth marker.
Group stands smiling outside next to purple and white sign.
Two women stand outside wearing purple sashes and smiling.
Group of adults stand outside smiling.
Purple and white Sojourner Truth women's suffrage marker sign.