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CAO McMullen Linda and the Moderator during the Conference (Photo: Yacouba Soro/US Embassy)

Ivorian Women Activists Discuss Sojourner Truth With an American Expert

About 40 members of the Ivoirian Women Leaders Caucus gathered at the American Cultural Center on March 23 to discuss the life and legacy of Sojourner Truth, via a Digital Video Conference, with Paris-based American Studies expert John Dean. 

Participants discussed the implications of Sojourner Truth’s work during her time (the end of slavery, advancement in women’s rights, etc.) and in the present (the founding of institutes in her name, such as Milwaukee’s “Sojourner Truth House” for battered women).

The dynamic discussion covered modern-day slavery and prostitution, political rights and the relevance of Sojourner Truth’s experience for today’s Ivorian women, especially those who are proactively engaged in training female candidates to run for public office, and are involved in a number of activities related to women’s rights and political action.

Participants were impressed by the pertinence of Sojourner Truth’s example for their work – especially when they realized that though she was illiterate, she was an influential speaker and campaigner for women’s rights. As one participant noted, “As Sojourner’s life so amply demonstrates, lack of a formal education should be no barrier to promoting women’s rights, citizen activism or getting involved in politics.”