To celebrate Women’s History month and the 20th Anniversary of the Northwest Vista College (NVC) Sojourner Truth Memorial, the college held a rededication ceremony on Mar. 29 in the Community Peace Garden adjacent to Manzanillo Hall.
“Northwest Vista College established this memorial 20 years ago in an effort to honor the work of Sojourner Truth who was an advocate for women’s rights and fought against slavery in the abolitionist movement,” said Interim NVC President Debi Gaitan. “Our commitment to diversity, community, and synergy is embedded in our college history, touchstones, and our mission to create opportunities for success.”
The event included a land acknowledgment, the history of Sojourner Truth, and a reading of the speech Ain’t I A Woman which Truth delivered at the 1851 Women’s Right Convention in Akron, Ohio.
“This new location for the memorial in the Community Peace Garden provides an area where anyone can come to reflect on Sojourner Truth’s life, activism, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to truth and justice,” said NVC art faculty coordinator and Women’s History Month committee member Rachael Bower.
The ceremony ended with the rededication and a student musical ensemble performance of the Black National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing, led by Sabrina Cioffi.
Thank you to the Sojourner Truth Committee for putting this event together: Gary Bowling, Mallory Plummer, Debi Gaitan, Minerva Muniz, Rachael Bower, NVC Marketing & Strategic Communications
