The Sojourner
The Sojourner
Sojourner Truth was an African American suffragist, abolitionist, and prison reform activist. In most images of her, Truth wears a shawl. The beaded trim in this mask alludes to her iconic fashion accessory.
The patchwork of fabrics symbolizes Truth having moved many times and traveled even more to preach on the sin of slavery. Truth was sold at auction three times beginning at nine years old, and a son was sold illegally during the Northern Emancipation. Each patch of fabric is hand-appliqued with traditional embroidery stitches. The chain stitch signifies the chains of enslavement, the blanket stitch signifies the quilts women would make to pass on oral history. The color purple represents not only justice, but how, as in the book The Color Purple, self-identity brings a sense of independence and freedom.
These masks are a must-have accessory in conjunction with our Art & Couture: A Contemporary Centennial celebration of the Suffrage Movement and 100 years of Women's Right to Vote. There are nine styles in this series, with each mask named after a prominent activist in the American Suffrage movement.
MATERIALS: 100% Cotton, polyester, cotton lace, linen, novelty trim. Hand wash cold water, mild detergent only, line dry, cool iron avoiding buttons. Remove any snapped notions and wire before washing.