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The Messenger: A'int I a Woman

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The Messenger: A'int I a Woman

The Messenger: A'int I a Woman

A limited edition release by Edwin Lester inspired by Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" speech from 1851.

The speech was a powerful indictment of the way women and specifically Black women were treated in American society at that time.

In her speech, Sojourner Truth was trying to communicate that women, especially Black women, were not treated equally to men in society, and that this treatment was unjust. She spoke out against the prevailing idea that women were weak and dependent, pointing out that she herself had worked hard and endured much hardship and suffering as a slave and then as a free woman. She also criticized the exclusion of Black women from the mainstream feminist movement, arguing that they too were entitled to the same rights and opportunities as white women.

Ultimately, Sojourner Truth's speech was a call to action, urging women to stand up for themselves and fight for their rights, and challenging society to see women as fully human and deserving of respect and equality.

Edwin Lester depicts a young African American woman who inspired by Sojourner is carrying this same message and sharing it with others. She is committed to fighting the good fight for women's equality.  This is alluded to by the fact that the message in the bottle in her hand is Sojourner's "A'int I a Woman" speech.

Another powerful narrative and testimony communicated through the medium of activist art by the talented Edwin Lester.


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 they talk about this thing in the head; what’s this they call it? [member of audience whispers, “intellect”] That’s it, honey. What’s that got to do with women’s rights or Negroes’ rights? If my cup won’t hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn’t you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?
Then that little man in black there, he says women can’t have as much rights as men, ‘cause Christ wasn’t a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.
If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it. The men better let them.
Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain’t got nothing more to say.

Available as a Giclee on Paper (36x15 inches) or as a Giclee on Canvas (46x17 inches). All limited editions ship signed and numbered by the artist and with a certificate of authenticity from the artist. They are also inspected prior to shipping to ensure that they are up to our standards.

Giclee on Paper Edition Size: 50 pieces
Giclee on Canvas Edition Size: 50 pieces

All canvas giclées are treated with an ultraviolet (UV) coating to preserve the artwork and ensure it displays properly.

Note: The Giclee on Canvas ships unstretched and rolled in a tube.

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The Messenger: A'int I a Woman—

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A limited edition release by Edwin Lester inspired by Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" speech from 1851.

The speech was a powerful indictment of the way women and specifically Black women were treated in American society at that time.

In her speech, Sojourner Truth was trying to communicate that women, especially Black women, were not treated equally to men in society, and that this treatment was unjust. She spoke out against the prevailing idea that women were weak and dependent, pointing out that she herself had worked hard and endured much hardship and suffering as a slave and then as a free woman. She also criticized the exclusion of Black women from the mainstream feminist movement, arguing that they too were entitled to the same rights and opportunities as white women.

Ultimately, Sojourner Truth's speech was a call to action, urging women to stand up for themselves and fight for their rights, and challenging society to see women as fully human and deserving of respect and equality.

Edwin Lester depicts a young African American woman who inspired by Sojourner is carrying this same message and sharing it with others. She is committed to fighting the good fight for women's equality.  This is alluded to by the fact that the message in the bottle in her hand is Sojourner's "A'int I a Woman" speech.

Another powerful narrative and testimony communicated through the medium of activist art by the talented Edwin Lester.


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 they talk about this thing in the head; what’s this they call it? [member of audience whispers, “intellect”] That’s it, honey. What’s that got to do with women’s rights or Negroes’ rights? If my cup won’t hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn’t you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?
Then that little man in black there, he says women can’t have as much rights as men, ‘cause Christ wasn’t a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.
If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it. The men better let them.
Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain’t got nothing more to say.

Available as a Giclee on Paper (36x15 inches) or as a Giclee on Canvas (46x17 inches). All limited editions ship signed and numbered by the artist and with a certificate of authenticity from the artist. They are also inspected prior to shipping to ensure that they are up to our standards.

Giclee on Paper Edition Size: 50 pieces
Giclee on Canvas Edition Size: 50 pieces

All canvas giclées are treated with an ultraviolet (UV) coating to preserve the artwork and ensure it displays properly.

Note: The Giclee on Canvas ships unstretched and rolled in a tube.