Today’s (February 1) first Google Doodle of Black History Month recognizes pioneering abolitionist and Black women’s rights activist Sojourner Truth. 

rnt

In honor of #BlackHistoryMonth, we celebrate American abolitionist Sojourner Truth, who escaped from slavery & became a powerful advocate for justice & equality everywhere.
rntt
rnttThanks to our guest artist @loveiswise_ for such a thoughtful #GoogleDoodle! → https://t.co/W1VzvI4S9B pic.twitter.com/Y2PT4g1ky2

rnt— Google Doodles (@GoogleDoodles) February 1, 2019

rn

 

Artist Loveis Wise, whose work frequently features Black women in naturalistic settings, depicts Truth leading four Black women on a plantation. “Creating this Doodle came with a ton of research and I was inspired by the few photographs taken of her which displayed her strong and beautiful stature," Wise told Google. "As a Black woman, illustrating Sojourner Truth was especially personal and meaningful to me. Her journey and persistence inspired major change in both rights for enslaved African Americans and women. Her history is deeply rooted to my ancestors and others around the world."

Google’s accompanying blog post notes some of that history, including Truth’s fame for escaping enslavement, successfully suing for her son’s freedom and her 1851 speech, "Ain’t I a Woman?"