Marvin Reed resides in the Bay Area and teaches third grade at Rosa Parks Elementary School in the Berkeley Unified School District. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology, a master’s degree in higher education and leadership policies, a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential and currently is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership from California State University, Sacramento. He was recognized in 2021 as the Computer-Using Educators (CUE) Emerging Teacher of the Year. He has served as a judge and as a leadership clinician with many prestigious marching band programs around the state
Sojourner Truth delivered this speech at the 1851 Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio. Born into slavery, Truth is widely known for her abolition and women’s rights work. Two versions of this speech are included.
This essay expounds on the injustices and false perceptions faced by women in the welfare system. Tillmon contends that the system is overrun with sexism and that until American women are liberated by equal pay, the welfare system will continue to be a trap for them.