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.
