Greg Jenner

And you'll know her from this very podcast from many, many episodes, including recent highlights, Pythagoras, What a Dude, and the history of Broadway musicals. It's your Dead to Me superstar, Desiree Burch. Welcome back, Desiree.

Desiree, you and Michelle have previously covered Harriet Tubman and Josephine Baker. Now, Harriet Tubman, obviously an abolitionist, a very famous woman in American history. Are you excited to be back for more abolitionist history? What are your emotions when you hear the word Sojourner Truth?

Desiree, you and Michelle have previously covered Harriet Tubman and Josephine Baker. Now, Harriet Tubman, obviously an abolitionist, a very famous woman in American history. Are you excited to be back for more abolitionist history? What are your emotions when you hear the word Sojourner Truth?

It sounds like an eye condition. I'm biopic. I can't see out of my left eye. Yeah, I don't know.

It sounds like an eye condition. I'm biopic. I can't see out of my left eye. Yeah, I don't know.

So what do you know? This is the So What Do You Know? This is where I have a go at guessing what you, our lovely listener, might know about today's subject. And I think American listeners are going to immediately have a Desiree response of, I know stuff! Hang on, do I know stuff? Do I know anything? Perhaps it's a childhood memory coming back.

So what do you know? This is the So What Do You Know? This is where I have a go at guessing what you, our lovely listener, might know about today's subject. And I think American listeners are going to immediately have a Desiree response of, I know stuff! Hang on, do I know stuff? Do I know anything? Perhaps it's a childhood memory coming back.

Outside of the States, I think probably less familiar name. She's perhaps most famous for the quote, Ain't I a Woman, which has been used by feminist activists for years, including by Bell Hooks for her debut book title. But there are no big movie biopics, biopics, whatever we're calling it. There are no big TV dramas. If you go on IMDb, you're not getting much back, which is quite surprising.

Outside of the States, I think probably less familiar name. She's perhaps most famous for the quote, Ain't I a Woman, which has been used by feminist activists for years, including by Bell Hooks for her debut book title. But there are no big movie biopics, biopics, whatever we're calling it. There are no big TV dramas. If you go on IMDb, you're not getting much back, which is quite surprising.

So what was Sojourner's journey? How did she go from enslavement to crusading campaigner? And was Ain't I a Woman even her line? Let's find out. Right, Dr. Michelle, we'll start at the beginning. When and where was Sojourner Truth born? And I'm presuming that wasn't her name at birth.

So what was Sojourner's journey? How did she go from enslavement to crusading campaigner? And was Ain't I a Woman even her line? Let's find out. Right, Dr. Michelle, we'll start at the beginning. When and where was Sojourner Truth born? And I'm presuming that wasn't her name at birth.

That's fascinating. Desiree, do you know what language Isabella grew up speaking?

That's fascinating. Desiree, do you know what language Isabella grew up speaking?

Dutch as her primary first language. And you said 10 siblings, possibly 11 siblings. We're not sure. She's one of 12 or 10. So the parents have been enslaved. The children are enslaved. And the person who enslaves them is Colonel Johannes Hardenberg. And you said he's wealthy. What happened when he died?

Dutch as her primary first language. And you said 10 siblings, possibly 11 siblings. We're not sure. She's one of 12 or 10. So the parents have been enslaved. The children are enslaved. And the person who enslaves them is Colonel Johannes Hardenberg. And you said he's wealthy. What happened when he died?

It's a horrible, horrible childhood. And she was sold to an English speaking family, the Neelys. And she didn't she didn't speak English. Were they dicks about it, though? I imagine they weren't hugely supportive being a slave owning family.

It's a horrible, horrible childhood. And she was sold to an English speaking family, the Neelys. And she didn't she didn't speak English. Were they dicks about it, though? I imagine they weren't hugely supportive being a slave owning family.

And then in 1810, Isabella was sold again for $175. Who is she sold to this time?

And then in 1810, Isabella was sold again for $175. Who is she sold to this time?

So, I mean, that's a strange dynamic, I suppose, that she's there for nearly 18 years and she's fond of the man who's enslaved her. That's complicated stuff, Desiree, isn't it?