Pay The Tab #15 - Henrietta Wood: An American Hero You Never Heard Of

Who do you think won the largest-ever court verdict for slavery reparations in America? Frederick Douglass? Sojourner Truth? The NAACP Legal Defense Fund? 

Guess again. It was Henrietta Wood, a formerly enslaved woman. She initially gained her freedom in the 1840s and lived in Ohio for five precious years - only to be kidnapped and sold back into slavery in the Deep South for 15 horrific years. After surviving multiple near-death ordeals, she was finally free in 1866, the year after the Civil War ended. 

After the War, Wood tracked down her kidnapper, Zebulon Ward, and sued him in court. By then he was ultra-rich and powerful, with a team of high-priced lawyers. Against all odds, she won the case! The verdict was small, but it was enough to transform Wood’s life and the lives of her descendants. 

Henrietta Wood was a larger-than-life character who endured unimaginable hardships - but kept surviving against all odds and fighting to tell her story, make a life for herself and her son, and seek justice.

Check out our new episode with special guest Caleb McDaniel, who tells Wood’s story in his book Sweet Taste Of Liberty: A True Story Of Slavery and Restitution In America, which won the Pulitzer Prize.

Coming soon: Where Are Tony & Adam Now? The Latest On The Fight For Reparations

For our next episode we’re breaking down what’s brewing in the Black reparations movement. Is this going to happen or not? What do we say when people question the whole idea? And how do we make reparations a reality?

We’ll also give you exciting news about how we’re bringing our message to people beyond the podcast world. Stay tuned for more details and we’ll see you soon!

Peace,

Tony & Adam