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When you think of the greatest speakers in American history, who comes to mind? Probably Winston Churchill, MLK, JFK, maybe Ronald Reagan — and justifiably so. They were all remarkable orators whose powerful language and delivery expressed gravity and humanity at critical times.
But do we ever think of women speakers? Probably not.
But we should — because women speakers have made an enormous impact in history. We should know their names, and their words, just as we do their male counterparts.
That includes little-known women like Lucy Stone, Mary Church Terrell, Clara Shortridge Foltz, Celia Parker Woolley, Anna Dickinson, and so many more.
Despite enormous social constraints and, at times, religious pressure that discouraged women from using their voices in public, they have not been silent. Even when they were denied access to education, excluded from the academies, not allowed to run for office or hold leadership positions, women still found ways to come forward and share their knowledge, and advocate on issues like education, prison reform, healthcare, welfare — and just about everything else under the sun.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, let’s set the record straight. Let’s honor and recognize the thousands of women whose speeches contributed to our world. Check out the 1800+ speeches by women on The Speaking While Female Speech Bank.
Join me in celebrating women’s voices!
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Want to talk? Reach me at dana@danarubin.com