Delivered 1851
Women's Convention, Akron, Ohio
Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out
of kilter. I think that 'twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the
North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon.
But what's all this here talking about?
That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages,
and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody
ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best
place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed
and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And
ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I
could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne
thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried
out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a
woman?
Then that
haut this thing in the hand...
II. LL
LL