Speeches

Lucretia Mott
Speeches
Why Should Not Woman Seek to Be a Reformer? - Oct. 18, 1854
October 18, 1854
Mott delivered this speech at the 5th National Woman's Rights Convention. I have not come here with a view of answering any particular parts of the lecture alluded to, in order to point out the fallacy of its reasoning. The speaker, however, did not profess to offer anything like argument on that occasion, but rather a sentiment. I have no prepared address to deliver to you, being unaccustomed to speak in that way; but I felt a wish to offer some views for your consideration, though in a desultory manner, […]
Abby Kelley Foster
Speeches
It Is the Pulpit Who Casts Out 'Impure' Women - Oct. 6, 1853
October 6, 1853
Kelley delivered this speech at the 4th Ohio Woman's Rights Conference, in response to the clergy's argument that it should be women rather than the clergy who cast out "licentious" women. I want to say here that I believe the law is but the writing out of public sentiment, and back of that public sentiment, I contend lies the responsibility. Where shall we find it? " 'Tis education forms the common mind." It is allowed that we are what we are educated to be. Now if we can ascertain who […]
Emma Goldman
Speeches
Preparedness: The Road to Universal Slaughter - 1915
January 1, 1915
Goldman delivered the speech many times in 1915. It was also circulated as a pamphlet and appeared in the December 1915 issue of Mother Earth. Ever since the beginning of the European conflagration, the whole human race almost has fallen into the deathly grip of the war anesthesis, overcome by the mad teeming fumes of a blood soaked chloroform, which has obscured its vision and paralyzed its heart. Indeed, with the exception of some savage tribes, who know nothing of Christian religion or of brotherly love, and who also know […]
Elizabeth Gurley Flynn
Speeches
The Truth About the Paterson Strike - January 31, 1914
January 31, 1914
Flynn delivered this speech before the New York Civic Club Forum. Comrades and Friends: The reason why I undertake to give this talk at this moment, one year after the Paterson strike was called, is that the flood of criticism about the strike is unabated, becoming more vicious all the time, drifting continually from the actual facts, and involving as a matter of course the policies and strike tactics of the I.W.W. To insure future success in the city of Paterson it is necessary for the past failure to be […]
Emily Greene Balch
Speeches
The Time for Making Peace – April 1915
April 30, 1915
Balch gave this address at the International Congress of Women. There is a widespread feeling that this is not the moment to talk of a European peace. On the contrary there is reason to believe that the psychological moment may be very close upon us. If, in the wisdom that comes after the event, we see that the United States was dilatory when it might have helped to open a way to end bloodshed and make a fair and lasting settlement, we shall have cause for deep self-reproach. The question […]
Susan B. Anthony
Speeches
Demand for Party Recognition - May 4, 1894
May 4, 1894
This speech was delivered in an effort to get a woman suffrage plank included in the Republican and Populist party platforms in Kansas. I come to you tonight not as a stranger, not as an outsider but, in spirit and in every sense, as one of you. I have been connected with you by the ties of relationship for nearly forty years. Twenty-seven years ago I canvassed this entire State of Kansas in your first woman suffrage campaign. During the last decade I have made a speaking tour of your […]
Jill Biden
categories: Campaign Speech, Speeches
DNC Speech - Aug. 18, 2020
August 18, 2020
I have always loved the sounds of a classroom. The quiet that sparks with possibility just before students shuffle in. The murmur of ideas bouncing back and forth as we explore the world together. The laughter and tiny moments of surprise you find in materials you’ve taught a million times. When I taught English here at Brandywine High School, I would spend my summer preparing for the school year about to start—filled with anticipation. But this quiet is heavy. You can hear the anxiety that echoes down empty hallways. There’s […]
Melania Trump
categories: Campaign Speech, Speeches
RNC Speech - Aug. 25, 2020
August 25, 2020
Good evening, it seems like just yesterday that we were at our first convention, where my husband accepted the Republican nomination and then became our 45th president of the United States. He had the energy and enthusiasm for who should lead this nation. It's real today as it was four years ago. I know I speak for my husband and the entire family when I say we have not forgotten the incredible people who were willing to take a chance on the businessman who has never worked in politics. We […]
Ivanka Trump
categories: Campaign Speech, Speeches
RNC Speech - Aug. 27, 2020
August 27, 2020
Good evening. Before I begin, I want to send a special message to everyone who's been affected by Hurricane Laura. Our hearts are with you, the President will continue to support you every step of the way and just like Americans always do, the nation will come together to help you rebuild your homes, businesses, and communities stronger and more resilient than ever before. Four years ago, I introduced to you a builder, an entrepreneur, an outsider, and the people's nominee for President of the United States. Tonight, I stand […]
Nancy Pelosi
categories: Campaign Speech, Speeches
DNC Speech - Aug. 19, 2020
August 19, 2020
Good evening. As speaker of House, it is my honor to bring you the greetings of House Democrats; the most diverse majority in history, more than 60% women, people of color, and LGBTQ. Our diversity is our strength, our unity is our power. This month, as America marks the centennial of women finally winning the right to vote, we do so with 105 women in the house, proudly, 90 are democrats. To win the vote women marched and fought and never gave in. We stand on their shoulder charged with […]