I knew of Sojourner Truth long ago. At least in college, if not earlier. I took more than one women’s history class, and various women’s conventions would come up in such classes. Women’s rights—including property, voting, and other kinds of rights—are a big topic in women’s history. And while there are many amazing, strong, resourceful women in history, Sojourner Truth was magnificent.

A middle-aged black woman at the time of her famous speech in 1851, her words resonate over 150 years later. Watch the video above, which is Alfre Woodard’s reading of the speech, and follow this link to get the transcript of her amazing speech on the floor of the Women’s Convention in Akron, Ohio.