Voice Is Power Collector Mug is a reminder that your voice matters, and that it can change your life and the lives of others. The words on this mug are inspired by Sojourner Truth, an African American woman born into slavery in New York around 1797. Her birth name was Isabella Baumfree, and she grew up in a community where Dutch was spoken, so Dutch was her first language before she learned English. In 1826, she freed herself by walking away from slavery with her baby daughter, Sophia, and starting over with almost nothing.
In 1828, she went to court to get her son Peter back after he was illegally sold away, and she won. Later, in 1843, she chose the name Sojourner Truth on purpose. “Sojourner” means traveler, and she believed she was called to travel and speak truth wherever she went. She became known for powerful speeches about freedom and women’s rights, and in her famous 1851 speech in Akron, Ohio, she challenged her audience with the words, “Ain’t I a woman?” She also supported her work by selling photographs and would say, “I sell the shadow to support the substance.” Sojourner Truth believed deeply in the strength of truth itself, often declaring, “Truth is powerful and it prevails.” Her life shows us that a courageous voice can move history forward.
The background artwork on this mug comes from an original painting created by my son, Lamonte, whose creative expression and imagination are a constant reminder that legacy is not only something we inherit, but something we continue to build. This piece brings together history, voice, and the next generation of artists in one meaningful object meant to be used every day.
• Ceramic
• 11 oz mug dimensions: 3.79″ (9.6 cm) in height, 3.25″ (8.3 cm) in diameter
• 15 oz mug dimensions: 4.69″ (11.9 cm) in height, 3.35″ (8.5 cm) in diameter
• Lead and BPA free material
• Colored rim, inside, and handle
• Dishwasher and microwave safe
