SOJOURNER TRUTH LEGACY PLAZA
Celebrating a historical icon in the very place she left her mark on history Give to the Project“May I say a Few Words?”
In 1851, abolitionist and women’s rights activist Sojourner Truth visited Akron, Ohio, and made history. Speaking at the Old Stone Church, Truth addressed a mostly white crowd at the Ohio Women’s Convention. As a Black woman and former enslaved person, Truth spoke out on behalf of those whose voices were ignored or silenced. Her iconic speech, now considered one of the greatest in American history, is remembered as “Ain’t I a Woman?” – though she probably never spoke those exact words.
Coming Soon
Now in construction at the site of Truth’s speech, the Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza is designed by Dion Harris, landscape designer for Summit Metro Parks, and will feature a floral motif inspired by Truth’s family roots in Ghana. At the center will stand a life-size bronze sculpture of Sojourner Truth by nationally renowned Akron artist Woodrow Nash. Additional architectural work has been provided by GPD Group and construction will be done by the Ruhlin Company. The plaza is targeted to be completed in the spring of 2024.
About Woodrow Nash
Born in Akron, Ohio in the late 1940s, Woodrow Nash works in the tradition of the greater masters to build a sense of mystery and charisma into each of his sculptures. Through his pieces, Nash achieves his goal of integrating expression, complex symbolism and sophisticated aesthetics to yield striking embodiments of the human soul and sensuality.
Today, the work of Woodrow Nash is collected internationally. His collectors’ demographics have no racial boundaries and include everyone from working professionals to affluent sports figures and entertainment superstars. Learn more.
About the Sojourner Truth Project
The Sojourner Truth Project is the singular effort of the Summit Suffrage Centennial Committee. The Committee was convened by Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro in 2018 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of women’s suffrage in 2020.”
Members of the Sojourner Truth Project Core Committee:
- Towanda Mullins – Chair – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Akron Alumnae Chapter
- Theresa Carter – Fundraising – President, Synthomer Foundation
- Pamela Hickson-Stevenson – Communications – Executive Director, Akron-Summit County Public Library
- Margaret Maurer – Education – Women’s Interfaith Spiritual Heritage (WISH)
- Woodrow Nash – Design Team – International Sculptor
- Ilene Shapiro – Summit County Executive
- Lisa King – Fundraising – Executive Director, Summit Metro Parks
- Leianne Neff Heppner – Project Historian – CEO, Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio
- Jackie Derrow – Communications – Past President, League of Women Voters of Akron
- Dion Harris – Design Team – Landscape Architect, Summit Metro Parks
Thank you to the sponsors and donors who have made this important work possible.
Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza Sponsors
For more updates, visit the Sojourner Truth Project Committee’s Facebook page.
Give to the Project
Help support the construction and future maintenance of the Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza – all donations made to this fund will go directly to helping bring to life this plaza in downtown Akron!
Gallery
