"Sojourner Truth," by R. Gregory Christie

Frederick Douglass (c.1817-1895) was born into slavery. In 1833 he escaped and settled in Massachusetts. He became an orator for an anti-slavery society, an author and, after the Civil War, a diplomat. Douglass sharply criticized the hypocrisy of Christians for practicing, allowing, or ignoring slavery; he also criticized U.S. citizens for espousing democratic ideals while denying basic rights to Blacks.

Sojourner Truth (1797-1833) was born into slavery and given the name Isabella. After great suffering she escaped in 1826 and found refuge and freedom in New York City. Later she received an inspiration to become a wandering preacher and took the name of Sojourner Truth. She became a famous speaker of the abolitionist movement, persuading white audiences of the evils of slavery.

Harriet Tubman (1821-1913) was born into slavery and forced to do rigorous work in the fields. She escaped in 1849 and found refuge in Philadelphia. Tubman became a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad, a network of routes and safe hiding places by which slaves could escape to freedom. She conducted over 300 slaves north to freedom; a $40,000 reward was offered for her capture, dead or alive. Tubman belonged to an African Methodist Episcopal Church. Douglass, Truth, and Tubman were active in the early women's movement.