Bust of Sojourner Truth, Bronze sculpture in Emancipation Hall, Capitol Visitor Center, United States.
The Bust of Sojourner Truth is a bronze portrait located in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitor Center, showing her with a resolute expression. She wears her characteristic headwrap and shawl, features that define this formal sculptural representation.
The bust was installed in 2009, marking a significant moment when the Capitol first permanently honored an African American woman through sculpture. This recognition arrived more than a century after Truth's death, reflecting changing perspectives on whose stories deserve a place in the seat of government.
The bust honors Sojourner Truth's role as a speaker and activist who fought for racial justice and women's rights, making her presence felt in this center of power. Her image in this hall stands as a reminder of voices that demanded fairness and equality.
The sculpture is located in Emancipation Hall, the main entrance area of the Capitol Visitor Center, making it easy to spot. Visitors can view it during normal operating hours without needing to navigate deeper sections of the building.
The sculpture was funded through a multiyear campaign by the National Congress of Black Women, reflecting a grassroots effort to place this representation in the Capitol. This funding journey highlights how communities often had to actively advocate for their own recognition in spaces of power.
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