Michelle Obama unveiled a statue of the historical abolitionist Sojourner Truth at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday , April 28. It is the first African American female bust to be displayed in the historical building. The unveiling came after a ten year effort by the National Congress of Black Women. Kim Fuller, 49, and a member of the National Congress of Black Women, said the representation of black women has been absent at the Capitol for "far too long." "But now we are," said Fuller. "And who better to begin the representation with than Sojourner Truth?"
Truth was a former slave, pioneer for women's right to vote and an advocate for the abolition of slavery. She met with President Lincoln in 1864 and Ulysses S. Grant in 1870 and is fondly remembered for her speech titled "Ain't I a Woman," which she delivered at a woman's rights convention in Akron, Ohio in 1851. Truth attempted to vote on two occasions, but was rejected both times. She died in 1883 at her home in Battlecreek, Michigan.
According to the Associated Press, Mrs. Obama was joined by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at the statue uncovering. Actress Cicely Tyson, several lawmakers and students also attended the gathering in the Capitol's underground visitors center. Pelosi said that Truth's statue will not be the only historical African American relic in the capitol as a statue of civil rights icon Rosa Parks will soon join the collection.
Truth's sculpture is now a permanent fixture in the Emancipation Hall, which was named in honor of the slaves who built the Capitol.
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