Answer and Explanation:
In his speech, Sojourner Truth pointed to the exclusion of the cause of black women in emerging feminist movements. She says that feminist movements did not give space to black women, did not let them speak and did not address their problems. In that case she asked "Ain't I a Woman?"
Truth said she was prevented from speaking, by feminists, lest the feminist cause be confused with the black cause. According to her, this episode was very wrong, since white women claimed that feminist movements should seek to break the concept of women's fragility in relation to men, who forbade them to work and have freedoms. However, Truth affirmed that black women were never seen with fragility and never had freedom in the same way, being necessary that they also be included and heard.
The answer is, "were". I hope this helps.
