KINGSTON, N.Y. — Sojourner Truth Day on Nov. 26 will become a state holiday starting in 2025, officials announced during a ceremony unveiling a new historical marker at the Ulster County Courthouse honoring Truth’s legacy on Tuesday, Nov. 26.
Truth, an Ulster County native, died in Battle Creek, Michigan, on Nov. 26, 1883.
State Sen Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, and State Assemblywoman Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, announced that Gov. Kathy Hochul had signed legislation creating the state holiday on Tuesday after the legislation creating the holiday previously cleared both the Senate and Assembly in Albany. The bills were introduced by Hinchey and Shrestha respectively.
“Sojourner Truth was an American hero whose unyielding fight for freedom and equality inspired us nearly 200 years after her passing, igniting a new generation of young leaders carrying her legacy forward, including here in Ulster County, Truth’s birthplace,” Hinchey said.
“Everyday people — like she was at the time, like her peers were at the time— they don’t fight to dismantle these huge systems of oppression and injustice because anyone told them it’s easy,” Shrestha said. “They fought for them precisely because it’s difficult and precisely because it takes all of us to make the impossible possible.”
This fight continues, Shrestha said.
Hinchey noted how the efforts to create the holiday recognizing Sojourner Truth’s accomplishments and legacy started in Kingston in 2021 with two students in the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County’s Youth Crew Aleshanee Emanuel and Briana Gary. Both were on hand and spoke during the ceremony.
Emanuel recalled how they attended a workshop on Democracy at the YMCA that showed how laws are made. She noted the idea to create the holiday and celebration was hatched in this group.
She recalled how the holiday first became recognized in the town of Esopus and the City of Kingston, then Ulster County and at last the state.
“Truth is a name that carries the weight of history and yet remains underrecognized in the community she shaped,” Gary said looking back on the four long journey to create the holiday. “As teens the work done at the YMCA Farm Project inspired us to make change,” she added.
Gary said this is also when she learned about Sojourner Truth.
Sojourner Truth’s sixth great grandaughter Barbara Allen traveled from Michigan for the event and pulled off a sheet to unveil a brand new blue and gold metal historic marker out in front of the county courthouse to cheers.
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
The new marker reads Sojourner Truth, “At this Courthouse in 1828, The orator and anti-slavery activist successfully sued to free her son Peter from enslavement.”
It offers an update from an older plaque that officials said uses wording considered offensive and dehumanizing.
Allen opened her remarks by stating, “What a blessed day to celebrate an iconic woman in history my great grandma Sojourner Truth.”
Allen said she wants to remain a champion for Truth’s mission.
“I was born and raised in Battle Creek, Michigan, Sojourner’s final resting place, and on behalf of our family we thank the many people who worked so hard to keep her legacy alive and make this possible.”
Allen said while the holiday marks the day of Truth’s earthly death, her spirit lives on.
“When we think of Sojourner in our time of struggles or our times of victory it shows that her legacy has left a lasting mark on our present and our future,” Allen said. “When I reflect on how my great-grandmother survived the terrible conditions of slavery, I am strengthened to continue her fight towards justice.”‘
Allen noted that Truth won her son’s freedom in 1828 at Ulster County Courthouse after he had been sold into slavery, marking the first time a Black person won a case against a white person.
“Sojourner walked into this very courthouse demanded her son back and asserted her right to be a mother, Allen said. “From that day forward, guided by God, she continued to claim what was rightfully hers, freedom, dignity and respect.”
Allen described Truth as “focused, deliberate and fierce.”
The ceremony was opened with the African tradition of libation, led by SUNY New Paltz Black Studies Department Chairperson Weldon McWilliams. McWilliams first asked for permission to speak from an elder, in line with the tradition. “The point of libation is also to pay homage and reverence to those who have come before us,” he said.
McWilliams and those in attendance first offered up the names of Sojourner Truth, then figures known for their efforts in liberation including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X and Frederick Douglass and Jackie Robinson. Later those in attendance shared the names of their own ancestors.
McWilliams then poured water into the ground to reach something living between each person.
“Today we pay honor to the courageous, justice driven and awe-inspiring life and legacy of Sojourner Truth who walked on this very ground,” Ulster County Chief Diversity Office Esi Lewis said.
“This is such a moment to treasure,” Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger said. “With the unveiling of this marker let us think deeply about the valuable lessons from Sojourner’s life and the ideals she fought for justice, equality and human dignity.”
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Sojourner Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan helped unveil a new historical marker honoring Truth’s legacy at the Ulster County Courthouse on Nov. 26, 2024, during a ceremony announcing that Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26, will become a state holiday in 2025. The event featured remarks by Allen along with State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Sojourner Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan helped unveil a new historical marker honoring Truth’s legacy at the Ulster County Courthouse on Nov. 26, 2024, during a ceremony announcing that Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26, will become a state holiday in 2025. The event featured remarks by Allen along with State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary, who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert/Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, center, with Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. Also in attendance were
State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus at left, and Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, (Brian Hubert/Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Sojourner Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan helped unveil a new historical marker honoring Truth’s legacy at the Ulster County Courthouse on Nov. 26, 2024, during a ceremony announcing that Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26, will become a state holiday in 2025. The event featured remarks by Allen along with State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
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Officials announced Sojourner Truth Day, Nov. 26 will become a state holiday in 2025 in front of the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. The event featured remarks by Truth’s sixth-great grandaughter Barbara Allen, of Battle Creek, Michigan, State Sen. Michele Hinchey, D-Saugerties, State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, Kingston residents Aleshanne Emanuel and Briana Gary who worked to make the holiday a reality, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis (Brian Hubert, Daily Freeman)
