Elizabeth Mumbet Freeman Tells Her Story as the First African Woman to Sue for Freedom

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My name is Elizabeth Freeman, though most people knew me as "Mumbet." I was born into slavery in Claverack, New York, around 1744, and for much of my early life, that was my reality—living as property, with little control over my own fate. But despite the hardships, I always knew something in my heart that kept me going: the belief that every human being is born free, including me.

I was enslaved by the Ashley family in Sheffield, Massachusetts, and although I served them for years, I never accepted the idea that someone could own me. My breaking point came one day when my mistress tried to hit my sister with a heated shovel. I couldn't stand by and let it happen, so I shielded my sister and took the blow myself. I still carried the scar from that incident on my arm, but it was more than just a physical wound. It was a moment that fueled my desire for freedom.

Around this time, the American Revolution was stirring, and people were talking about liberty and equality—ideas that resonated deeply with me. I listened closely to these conversations, especially when the Massachusetts Constitution was adopted in 1780, declaring that "all men are born free and equal." Those words lit a fire inside me. If all men were born free, then so was I, right?

I took a bold step. With the help of a lawyer named Theodore Sedgwick, I decided to challenge the system that kept me in bondage. I filed a lawsuit for my freedom, becoming one of the first enslaved people in Massachusetts to do so. The case, Brom and Bett v. Ashley, was brought to court in 1781. I remember standing before that judge, terrified but determined. I believed in the words of the Massachusetts Constitution, and I believed in my right to be free.

And you know what? I won. The jury agreed with me, and I was declared a free woman. My case helped lay the foundation for the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts, and it proved that the ideals of liberty applied to everyone, not just white men. My victory was about more than just my personal freedom—it was a step toward a future where no one could be owned by another.

After gaining my freedom, I took on the name Elizabeth Freeman. I continued to work, but now I did it on my own terms. I chose to stay with the Sedgwick family as a paid servant, and I became close to them, especially their children. I worked hard, and people respected me, not just for my service but for my strength, intelligence, and courage. I raised my own family, and though life wasn’t always easy, I was free, and that meant everything.

So here’s what I want you to take away from my story: no matter your circumstances, you have the power to stand up for what’s right. Freedom is a gift that belongs to every human being, and sometimes you have to fight for it. I did, and I’ll always be proud of that. My story is just one of many, but it proves that change is possible, even when the odds seem impossible.

Thank you for listening. Remember, the fight for justice and equality never truly ends, but it always starts with someone saying, “Enough is enough.” For me, that was my journey from Mumbet to Elizabeth Freeman, and it’s a story I hope you’ll never forget.

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