Black Women Taught Us: The Living Legacy Of Black Feminism
Roots In Struggle And Strength: Black feminism grew from the lived experiences of Black women who faced both racism and sexism. During slavery in the United States, Black women were denied basic rights and subjected to forced labor and violence. Yet they resisted in many ways, including preserving culture, building families, and fighting for freedom. In the 19th century, leaders like Sojourner Truth spoke openly about the double burden of race and gender. Her famous 1851 speech, often called “Ain’t I a Woman,” challenged ideas that excluded Black women from both abolition and women’s rights movements. These early voices laid the foundation for what would later be called Black feminism.