Women and Equality
Notable Speeches and Addresses by Notable US Women (1849 to Present)
This site offers an archive of speeches and links from notable historical female figures about a range of issues, many not included on the list below.
This site offers an archive of speeches and links from notable historical female figures about a range of issues, many not included on the list below.
Emily Doe (Victim's Impact Statement 2016) Here's the Powerful Letter the Stanford Victim Read to Her Attacker
A former Stanford swimmer who sexually assaulted an unconscious woman was sentenced to six months in jail because a longer sentence would have "a severe impact on him," according to a judge. At his sentencing Thursday, his victim read him a letter describing the "severe impact" the assault had on her.
A former Stanford swimmer who sexually assaulted an unconscious woman was sentenced to six months in jail because a longer sentence would have "a severe impact on him," according to a judge. At his sentencing Thursday, his victim read him a letter describing the "severe impact" the assault had on her.
Antonia C. Novello, MD, MPH, DrPH (Interview 2004) Interview with Antonia Novello
Dr. Novello was the first woman and the first Latina to become Surgeon General of the United States, after serving for 2 decades at the National Institutes of Health. As Surgeon General, she focused on the health of young people, women and minorities, and spoke out against drinking, smoking and drug abuse.
Dr. Novello was the first woman and the first Latina to become Surgeon General of the United States, after serving for 2 decades at the National Institutes of Health. As Surgeon General, she focused on the health of young people, women and minorities, and spoke out against drinking, smoking and drug abuse.
Eva Longoria (Essay 2017) Action on Latina Equal Pay Day: 'We Are Worth the Whole Dollar'
Best known as an actress, but she also has a master’s degree in Chicano Studies and is deeply involved in advocacy and nonprofit work. The Eva Longoria Foundation supports Latina entrepreneurship through micro-loan programs; funds STEM extracurricular activities and mentorship for Latina students; and raises awareness on a national stage about issues relating to Latina education.
Best known as an actress, but she also has a master’s degree in Chicano Studies and is deeply involved in advocacy and nonprofit work. The Eva Longoria Foundation supports Latina entrepreneurship through micro-loan programs; funds STEM extracurricular activities and mentorship for Latina students; and raises awareness on a national stage about issues relating to Latina education.
Ellen Ochoa (Speech 2013) NASA TEDx JSC Women Intro
Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman in space, and has logged nearly 1,000 hours in space since her first mission in 1993. She is the co-inventor on three patents for optical inspection systems, was the head of the Intelligent Systems Technology Branch at NASA’s Ames Research Center, and is currently the director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.
Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman in space, and has logged nearly 1,000 hours in space since her first mission in 1993. She is the co-inventor on three patents for optical inspection systems, was the head of the Intelligent Systems Technology Branch at NASA’s Ames Research Center, and is currently the director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.
Sonia Sotomayor (Speech/Lecture 2009) A Latina Judge's Voice
Before being appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Obama in 2009, Justice Sotomayor was on the board of directors of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and an instructor at New York University School of Law and Columbia Law School.
Before being appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Obama in 2009, Justice Sotomayor was on the board of directors of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and an instructor at New York University School of Law and Columbia Law School.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (Essay 2014) Gender Equality is a Myth!
An award-winning contemporary recording singer, performer, writer, and actor.
An award-winning contemporary recording singer, performer, writer, and actor.
Susan B. Anthony (Speech 1873) The Women's Right to Vote
A pioneer of women's rights activism in the U.S., playing a crucial role during the women's suffrage movement. After voting illegally in the presidential election of 1872, she was tried in court and fined but refused to pay. Instead she wrote this speech and took it on tour. However it was not until after her death, that the 19th Amendment finally granted women the country to vote.
A pioneer of women's rights activism in the U.S., playing a crucial role during the women's suffrage movement. After voting illegally in the presidential election of 1872, she was tried in court and fined but refused to pay. Instead she wrote this speech and took it on tour. However it was not until after her death, that the 19th Amendment finally granted women the country to vote.
Nora Ephron (Speech 1996) Commencement Speech to Wellesley College Graduates
A graduate in 1962 from Wellesley College, she subsequently became an accomplished journalist, writer and filmmaker.
A graduate in 1962 from Wellesley College, she subsequently became an accomplished journalist, writer and filmmaker.
Sojourner Truth (Speech 1851) Ain't I a Woman?
Born Isabella Baumfree, she was an African-American abolitionist and women’s rights activist, born into slavery in New York, and sold at auction with a flock of sheep for $100 in 1806, escaping with her baby daughter in 1826. She bravely won her son back through the courts and was the first black woman to win a case against a white man.
Born Isabella Baumfree, she was an African-American abolitionist and women’s rights activist, born into slavery in New York, and sold at auction with a flock of sheep for $100 in 1806, escaping with her baby daughter in 1826. She bravely won her son back through the courts and was the first black woman to win a case against a white man.
Toni Morrison (Speech/Lecture 1993) Nobel Prize for Literature Lecture
Toni Morrison is a Nobel Prize- and Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist. Among her best known novels are 'The Bluest Eye,' 'Song of Solomon,' 'Beloved' and 'A Mercy.'
Toni Morrison is a Nobel Prize- and Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist. Among her best known novels are 'The Bluest Eye,' 'Song of Solomon,' 'Beloved' and 'A Mercy.'