When Harriet Met Sojourner Written by Deborah Washington
Part of the Sankofa Festival Ticket includes 6:30 PM – Open Table: Gems of Black Theater
Time & Location
Aug 22, 2026, 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM
Multi-Use Community Cultural Center, 142 Atlantic Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, USA
About The Event
Tickets available on Sankofa Festival Main Page
When Harriet Met Sojourner
Written by Deborah Washington
Saturday, August 22
Set during the Civil War era, this gripping historical fiction imagines a pivotal meeting between two icons of freedom—Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman—in Boston, 1864. As the two women sit together, they reflect on their childhoods in slavery, recounting painful memories of abuse, family separation, and the relentless struggle to survive. Through alternating monologues and heartfelt dialogue, the play explores how faith, fierce determination, and an unquenchable desire for liberty propelled both to escape and dedicate their lives to liberating others.
The conversation also delves into their views on women’s rights, racial equality, and their complex feelings about President Lincoln during the Civil War. Despite the weight of their pasts, both women remain steadfastly hopeful—committed to building a more just society. This play is a stirring tribute to the resilience, leadership, and…