HIGHLAND PARK— Student Nafisa Nuzhat of Hamtramck has been named the winner of the M.G. Scott Foundation’s high school essay contest in honor of Michigan’s annual Sojourner Truth Day, celebrated on November 26.

Nuzhat is a senior at Hamtramck High School who plans to attend the University of Michigan to study genetics. The second-place winner was  Kourtney M. Kenerly of Detroit, a senior at HEART Academy of Harper Woods, who plans to attend Baker College to become a diagnostic medical sonographer.

The third-place winner was Mamdud Ahmed of Hamtramck, junior at Hamtramck High School who would like to attend the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Nuzhat won $500 while Kenerly won $200 and Ahmed won $100.

Essay submissions were required to elaborate on what this quote from Sojourner Truth means in modern times:

“If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these together ought to be able to turn it back and get it right side up again.”

State Senator Martha G. Scott, president and founder of the M.G. Scott Foundation, shared her thoughts on Truth’s legacy.

“Sojourner Truth was a tireless advocate for the abolition of slavery and for equal rights for women. She is a true role model for our young people, and this is an excellent opportunity to honor her life and work,” she said.

Born a slave named Isabella in 1797, Sojourner Truth chose her new name soon after she became free. She traveled the country speaking passionately about the evils of slavery, and advocating for the equal rights of women, the betterment of families, and several other significant social reform and human justice movements in the 19th century. She inspired many to work in support of human rights issues.  Truth lived in Battle Creek, Michigan, from 1857 until her death on November 26, 1883.