Sally-Tom understandably kept away from media throughout her life, which makes recounting her story difficult. However, considering the enormous importance of her self-advocacy, I decided to feature her in a short chapter.
It is likely Sally-Tom’s records are currently being processed in the Freedmen’s Bureau records at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. I requested their help locating the records, but they could not find them. Their Freedmen’s Bureau Initiative is digitizing millions of files related to the Bureau, but this effort is not yet complete. They are still seeking new volunteers to complete their mission of transcribing every document.
When I first read Sally-Tom’s story, in this Morning News article (Apr 22, 1889), I was not sure if I could include her in Before Gender. However, I decided to search to my best ability due to the impact her story could have. If the article were factual, it would mean Sally-Tom is the earliest known trans woman to gain court approval to live as a woman in the US…
