A Massachusetts town is preparing to honor a slave woman who went to court to gain her freedom, more than 80 years before Emancipation.
The town of Sheffield will unveil a bronze statue of the woman, who was named following Elizabeth Freeman when she gained her freedom precisely 241 years ago.
Civic groups, activists and historians will participate in the event to honor a historical event that, although exceptional, is largely unknown.
“Clearly she is an unknown figure in American history, and I would say black history is American history,” said William “Smitty” Pignatelli, a Democratic state representative.
“Unfortunately, black history is something that is not taught,” he added.
The woman, who was born a slave with the name of Bett, might not read or write, but she knew how to listen. And what she heard made no sense.
One day he heard a reading of the Massachusetts constitution, which says that “All men are born equal, and have certain natural and inalienable rights.”
According to legend, following hearing this Bett walked regarding 8 kilometers (5 miles) to the residence of the lawyer Theodore Sedgwick and asked him to represent her in her legal dispute to obtain her freedom.
Sedgwick and another attorney, Tapping Reeve, took the case.
At the time, women had limited rights in Massachusetts, so the court added a male slave named Brom as a plaintiff. The jury agreed with the lawyers, releasing Bett and Brom on August 21, 1781.