United Way to dedicate green space to Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza
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United Way of Summit and Medina has announced the future site in downtown Akron honoring abolitionist and women’s rights activist Isabella Baumfree, more popularly known as Sojourner Truth, will now include a dedicated green space.
United Way will acquire the former Akron Public Schools administration building on 70 North Broadway and surrounding property extending to state Route 59 in between High Street and Broadway, upon which the green space will be built. Akron City Council voted Monday to authorize a land swap between the city and the school district to pave the way for the acquisition.
The green space will ensure the space remains accessible to all, enhancing the plaza's purpose as a location for tranquility and remembrance, according to a United Way press release.
Situated where Truth gave her historic "Ain't I a Woman?" speech at the site of the Old Stone Church in 1851, the Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza will celebrate the life and impact of the famed activist. Conceived by the Sojourner Truth Project committee, the project gained momentum last year when United Way of Summit & Medina offered a portion of its grounds to house the plaza.
“When United Way of Summit & Medina first became involved in the project to build a statue of Sojourner Truth, we knew we wanted it to be a tribute worthy of her legacy,” said Jim Mullen, president and CEO of United Way of Summit & Medina. “This dedicated green space and the additional funding will help ensure that the very place she made history with her groundbreaking speech will live on as a place for education and reflection.”
The executive committee of United Way’s board of directors has also authorized the allocation of an additional $400,000 for the completion of the project. The organization will replenish the funds through a dedicated fundraising campaign for the plaza, in continued partnership with the Sojourner Truth Project Committee.
Additional fundraising will go toward upkeep of the plaza and educational programming in partnership with the Sojourner Truth Project committee. Those interested in supporting the upkeep of the Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza are asked to donate online at uwsummitmedina.org/sojourner-truth-legacy-plaza.
The Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza was designed by Dion Harris, the landscape designer for Summit Metro Parks. The plaza also features a life-size bronze statue of Truth, designed by Akron artist Woodrow Nash. Construction of the plaza is slated to finish before the end of the year.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza to obtain permanent green space
