Since this month is designated “Women’s History Month” and last month was “Black History Month”, we would like to present a little history about a black woman who was active in the early struggle for women’s rights. If you didn’t learn about her in school, you might enjoy reading the short book written about her, The Narrative of Sojourner Truth: A Northern Slave.

Sojourner Truth was the self-given name, from 1843 onward, of Isabella Baumfree, who was born into slavery in Swartekill, New York in 1797. After escaping to freedom in 1826, she went to court to recover her son from her previous owners, and became the first black woman to win such a case against a white man. On June 1, 1843, she changed her name to Sojourner Truth, and told her friends, “The Spirit calls me, and I must go.” She became a Methodist and left to make her way traveling and preaching about abolition. In 1844, she joined the Northampton Association of Education and Industry in Massachusetts, an abolitionist group that supported women’s rights, religious tolerance and pacifism.

Sojourner Truth started dictating her memoirs to her friend Olive Gilbert, and in 1850 William Lloyd Garrison privately published her book. That same year, she purchased a home in Northampton for $300, and spoke at the first National Women’s Rights Convention in Massachusetts.

Her best known extemporaneous speech on racial inequalities, “Ain’t I A Woman?”, was delivered in 1851 at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention:

Ain’t I A Woman?

Delivered by Sojourner Truth at the 1851 Women’s Convention in Akron, Ohio

Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that ‘twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what’s all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain’t I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain’t I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man – when I could get it – and bear the lash as well! And ain’t I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother’s grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain’t I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what’s this they call it? (member of audience whispers, “intellect”) That’s it, honey. What’s that got to do with women’s rights or negroes’ rights? If my cup won’t hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn’t you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can’t have as much rights as men, cause Christ wasn’t a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain’t got nothing more to say.

Seadrift – Sue D. Henderson, 63, passed away on Friday, March 4, 2011. She was born in Sinton on September 18, 1947 to Edward and Lilly Schmalstieg. Sue was a retired postal worker.

She is survived by her husband, Tommy L. Henderson Sr. of Seadrift; daughter, Terri L. Dietzel of Port Lavaca; son, Tommy L. Henderson Jr. of West Columbia; sisters, Darlene Kunkel of Crescent Valley and Mary Helen Dillon of Odom; grandchildren, Melanie, Marli, Miranda, Macey, Jaylen and Braylynn; great-grandchild, Ashlynn; and a future great-grandson, Brilen.

Funeral service was held at Grace Funeral Chapel on March 9. Burial followed at the Seadrift Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Allan Michalak, Rodney Dillon, Mike Mires, Curby Onheiser, Todd Stricklan, and Bubba Hall.

Honorary pallbearers were Walter Dierlam, Clifford Kunkel, and Louis “Buzzy” Dillon.

Memorials in Sue’s name may be made to Hospice of South Texas.

Tony Apostalo, 87, of Baytown, went to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, March 4, 2011. He was born June 12, 1923 in Port O’Connor, Texas. He was a carpenter and a fisherman. He loved to hunt and dance and he was very proud of the homes he built. He loved to visit with his family and friends He was a good husband and father and an awesome grandfather. He will be missed by those who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander and Matilda Apostalo; brothers, Jimmy Apostalo, E.J. Apostalo, Henry Apostalo, Alex Apostalo; sister, Ruby Zafereo; wife, Mildred Apostalo.

He is survived by his wife, Pauline Apostalo; children, Nelda Henry and husband Gary, Melody Swire and husband Leslie; stepchildren, Dana Standard, Tresa Eastman and husband Thomas, Billie Robinson and husband Kevin, Dale Ott and wife Jane, Lona Donlon and husband Robert; brothers, Paul Apostalo and wife Sara, Frank Apostalo, Roy Apostalo and wife Mary Alice; 8 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and 4 great great grandchildren.

The funeral service was held Monday, March 7, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at Sterling Funeral Home, officiated by Rev. Larry Hayes. Burial followed at Palms Memorial Park.

Serving as pallbearers will be Joseph Smith, Sr., Joseph Smith, Jr., Haley Smith, Christopher Henry, Kristen Roulet, Daniel Eastman, Tommy Standard, Jr. and Thomas Eastman.

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, please visit www.sterlingfuneralhome.com.

On March 4, 2011, Frank Bertram Davis, age 91, passed from this life to go to be at home in heaven with his lovely wife Ruby Laverne, his brothers and sisters, and his Creator and Savior Jesus.

Frank was born on February 15, 1920 in Glenn, Georgia. He was born to the parents of Thomas Bradley and Zelma Ophelia Elkins Davis. His family moved to Gainesville, Texas in 1923 where they lived on the family farm.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Laverne Davis whom he married on January 29, 1956. She died suddenly on October 14, 1969. The sudden death of Laverne after 13 1/2 years of marriage required Frank to courageously raise three children, Derek, Dianne, and Dart. He is also preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Owen, Ben, Scott, Tice, and his sisters Ruth, Lee Ella and Sara. Frank was the last surviving “original” Davis.

He is survived by his two sons and daughter and many grandchildren. His son Derek Livingston is married to Julie with step-grandchildren, David, Denny, Brady and Miranda. His daughter Dianne Davis is married to Daniel Benac with grandchildren, Drew and wife Hannah, Dustin, David and Dylan. His son Dart Lynn is married to Tracey with grandchildren Katie and Kellie.

One of Franks’ proudest accomplishments was being a 1943 graduate from Texas A&M University with a Petroleum Engineering Degree. From 1943 to 1946, Frank served in active duty in WWII in the Army Department of Ordinance attaining the rank of Captain. He was stationed in New Guinea, Manila, and the Philippine Islands.

After his service in the Army, Frank was employed for seventeen years as a petroleum engineer for Creole Petroleum. He was stationed in Venezuela and traveled the Caribbean and Central America. When returning to the states in 1964 he resided with his wife, Laverne, and children in Denton, Texas working briefly in the lumber and house building business. In late 1965, Frank started his civil service employment when the family moved to Mobile, Alabama.

In 1966, he and the family moved to San Antonio, Texas when he was transferred to Kelly Air Force Base. For 25 years, Frank served at the Kelly Air Force Logistics Command working as a mechanical engineer and various production supervisor management assignments. He was known as a “tough and honest” boss that cared about the well-being of his staff. He was a Federal Managers Association member and office holder and would be considered a “manager of managers”. His careers as a petroleum engineer, mechanical engineer, business owner and civil servant manager, spanned nearly 50 years. He retired at the age of 70.

During his 20-plus years of retirement, he enjoyed redfish fishing with his Seadrift buddies and his children and grandchildren. He was proud of his Davis family heritage, not missing a family reunion. He was proud to be an Aggie, and he was very proud of his children and grandchildren. He was known for appreciating good and beautiful art, listening to good classical and country music, making margaritas, cooking delicious egg plant cuisines and gardening vegetables of greens and okra. He was a Legendary Fisherman and cook!

He numbered his 91 years as a loving son, devoted brother, caring husband, giving father, gracious granddad, respected uncle, masterful manager, cherished friend and an enjoyer of beauty. He was uniquely gifted with insight and honesty, offering his honest and direct insightful words to help others excel. He was ever so generous, helping others to succeed and obtain dreams, rather than gain personal recognition.

Three years before his death, Frank was a resident at Long Stay retirement home in Boerne, Texas.

Frank Bertram Davis will be buried in the Davis family plot at the Fairview Cemetery located in Gainesville, Texas.

Tennis champion Cliff Richey, author of Acing Depression: A Tennis Champion’s Toughest Match, will be the featured speaker for the NAMI Victoria Golf Tournament event on Friday, March 25. $65 per person includes dinner, speaker, awards ceremony and book signing. Visit www.namivictoria.org for downloadable forms. Hole in One could win a Chevy Cruze from Atzenhoffer Chevrolet.