Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation Tuesday to establish Nov. 26 as Sojourner Truth Day in New York to honor the legendary abolitionist and women’s rights advocate who was born in Ulster County.
“Sojourner Truth was one of the greatest leaders in American history, dedicating her life to the fight for freedom and equality,” Hochul said. “Establishing an annual commemoration of Sojourner Truth’s legacy is a fitting tribute to this New York-born icon.”
Sojourner Truth was born in the Hudson Valley in 1797 and was enslaved in New York until she escaped in 1826. In historic proceedings at the Ulster County Courthouse, Sojourner Truth became the first Black woman to successfully sue for her son’s emancipation from slavery. Sojourner Truth spent the rest of her life traveling the country fighting for the abolition of slavery.
In 2022, Hochul announced the creation of Sojourner Truth State Park in Ulster County. The new state park — the first new park to open since 2019 — offers spectacular views of the Hudson River and historic industrial ruins and remnants from brick making and quarrying. It is the first state park in Kingston.
“Sojourner Truth was an American hero whose unyielding fight for freedom and equality continues to inspire us nearly 200 years after her passing, igniting a new generation of young leaders carrying her legacy forward — including in the Hudson Valley, Truth’s birthplace,” state Sen. Michelle Hinchey said, “Our bill to establish Sojourner Truth Day in New York began with students from the Kingston YMCA Youth Crew, who recognized our responsibility in New York State to share her journey as one of the most prolific abolitionists and women’s rights activists of the time. Turning this vision into law is an honor, and I thank Governor Hochul for signing our bill into law. For New York, November 26 of each year will not only reflect our commitment to keeping Sojourner Truth’s legacy alive, but reaffirm what it means to be a New Yorker: Always striving toward a better, more equitable future for all.”
Added Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, “Sojourner Truth didn’t stop when she became the first Black woman to successfully sue white men to get her son released from slavery — she went on to spend the rest of her life fighting for everyone else across the country. Her determination is a reminder that those who commit to dismantling systems of oppression and injustice, seldom do it because someone told them it was going to be easy. They do it precisely because it’s difficult and precisely because it’s up to everyday people like Truth and her abolitionist peers were at the time, to lay the groundwork for making the impossible possible.”