Fourth graders at Phineas Bates Elementary School in Roslindale, Massachusetts, are learning about the brave suffragists and changemakers who worked to make voting rights for women a reality. Phineas Bates Elementary is an art-loving school community that is committed to social justice initiatives and believes in the power of art to affect change.

Americans Who Tell the Truth’s School Partnership Program is bringing to life the journeys of people who have worked for women’s suffrage and for racial equity. The portraits of  Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells, Fannie Lou Hamer, Ella Baker, and Stacey Abrams are at the school from April 27 through June 5, 2026. The portraits bring teacher-created curriculum to life and inspire students as they engage with challenging content, think and write critically, and complete collaborative projects.

The project began by introducing the portrait of Sojourner Truth and will continue for the next month as this art inspires students to summon the courage to stay true to their truths, explore actions, use their voices to address social justice issues, and be changemakers.