Pamela Welcome is an actress who lives in Chicago, but for a few hours recently, she became historical figure Sojourner Truth as part of the Speakers Series program sponsored by the Lake County Parks Department.
Welcome’s portrayal focused on the trials and tribulations of Truth, a slave who was born Isabella Baumfree in New York in 1797.
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“Isabella was a fighter for abolition, blacks’ rights and women’s rights,” Welcome said, as she greeted the crowd at Lake Etta Banquet Center. “Although she could not read or write, she impacted the lives of hundreds and hundreds of others.”
She was very religious, a devout Methodist, and emphatically preached the Bible, Welcome said.
As an African-American slave, Baumfree suffered years of abuse at the hands of many owners. She gained her freedom on July 4, 1827, and spent the rest of her life working to end slavery, assist the many freed slaves who were suffering and to advance women’s rights. She could not read or write, but her messages and campaigns were heard by — and influenced — many.
In 1843, she changed her name to Sojourner Truth, a moniker that reflected her life’s work of being on a journey toward truth, for both herself and others.
Her campaigns throughout the Northeast and Midwest included powerful talks and singing, Welcome told the crowd of 50.
“She had a very powerful, deep voice,” Welcome added, as she broke out in song, singing one of the activist’s favorite hymns. “In fact, Isabella was a very powerful presence — very tall — many thought she was a man.”
In the audience at the recent presentation was retired Gary school teacher Etta Stewart, who believes events such as Welcome’s are important in many ways.
“Sojourner wasn’t just a physically strong woman, she was spiritually strong,” the Merrillville resident said. “And that (spirituality) was —and still is — an inspiration.”
Stewart said children and adults alike need to understand U.S. history: “When you learn about history, you learn about yourself.”
Griffith sisters Colleen Hansen and Holly McCain previously attended a Speakers Series presentation of “Dolly Madison” last year. “She was so dynamic, with a very intriguing story,” Hansen said of the re-enactor. “So we just had to come to this one today and see what it was all about.”
The women said they were not disappointed, as Sojourner Truth was a special person and they enjoyed learning about her past in an entertaining, educational way.
The full life of Sojouner Truth, “Narrative of Sojourner Truth,” was published in 1850. Her last campaign was fought to secure land in Kansas and Missouri for freed slaves who were living in misery on the East coast.
She died in 1883 and was buried in Battle Creek, Mich.
Her best-known speech, “Ain’t I a Woman?” was presented in Akron, Ohio, in 1851 at the Women’s Rights Convention. Although no formal record exists, her speech made a great impact at the convention and has endured as a classic expression of woman’s rights.
The Lake County Parks Department’s Speakers Series includes four presentations per year highlighting the backgrounds of various historical figures. Re-enactors appear in the time-appropriate garb and take on the personality of that person as they interact with the audience.
Upcoming appearances include Charles Darwin on May 3, Helen Keller on July 12 and Ben Franklin on Aug. 9. To register for presentations, or for more information, call (219) 769- 7275.