This song was released for International Women’s Day (which was last Friday, if you need to be told), by a folk supergroup gathered under the I Am Proud Collective banner. Featured on the song are Angeline Morrison, Leonie Evan, Lizi Morse, Priscilla Andersohn and Rhiannon Takel, who were brought together by Lizi Morse with the aim of producing a song to be sung all over the world. As Morse explains: “The I AM PROUD COLLECTIVE was formed over a period of 18 months with ambition for the song to be sung all over the world. It was inspired by American abolitionist and activist Sojourner Truth, and all those who identify as women as a continued call for equality and equity worldwide. In the summer of 2025, the supergroup of women consisting of Angeline Morrison based in Cornwall, Leonie Evans currently based in New Orleans and Lizi Morse, Priscilla Andersohn and Rhiannon Takel all based in Bristol, crowdfunded for the single.”
Sojourner Truth freed herself and one of her daughters from slavery in 1826 by walking away from her slavers with pride and dignity. She died in 1883 having lived an extraordinary life standing up against racism and sexism simultaneously. Truth spent a lifetime standing up for the human rights of both people of colour and women. She spoke out at a time when black men were trying to get the vote and white women were trying to get the vote. These two groups, rather than supporting each other’s struggle, were pitted in competition. Truth sought to demonstrate that men and women, regardless of their race, are equal. She was the first ever black person to win a case against the state and a white man, which helped prevent her son being sold into slavery. The autonomy and freedom that we enjoy today, rests on the shoulders of magnificent women such as this. Using Truth’s famous provocation “Ain’t I a Woman” into a trans-inclusive women’s protest song, I AM PROUD – a tribute to Sojourner Truth is a call for equality, equity, solidarity and joy.
Lizi Morse adds that “Racism has never gone away. Right now, more and more white communities are waking up to this, with avert racism being visible on the streets with flags, demos, and in America, the continued killing and detention of innocent humans. It is intimidating. Sojourner Truth’s legacy demonstrates that we can overcome this and standup for what is right. Through song, we can feel connection and hope, which together can lead to action. Whether that be in voting with your ethics in mind, supporting charities that support social justice or just remembering to be kind to each other.”
