Speeches / page 2

Daisy Bates
categories: Keynote Address, Speeches
Opening Remarks at The March on Washington — Aug. 28, 1963
August 28, 1963
This is indeed a happy day for me. You know, sometimes in your life when you are fighting for freedom and human dignity your faith fails you, and you wonder whether democracy is worth fighting for, or whether you can ever be an American citizen in this country. But, something happened that renews that faith in democracy and in America and its people. It happened to me in 1957 when the students of Little Rock walked alone through the mob. You cried with us, but we had to walk it […]
Mary Sheffield
categories: Campaign Speech, Speeches, Victory Speech
Mayoral Victory Speech - Nov.4 , 2025
November 4, 2025
Good evening, Detroit. Wow, Detroit, we did it. Detroit, you showed up, you showed out, you stood strong and raised your voices towards a future that we all can believe in. And when some said that it couldn't be done, when some said that it was not the time, Detroit, you said,"Uh-uh. Together we can. Together we will." And tonight, together we did. Tonight, this victory belongs to all of us. Detroit, you have spoken loud and clear from every corner of this city. That's right. Thank you. And I […]
State of the State Address – Feb. 26, 2025
categories: Speeches, State of State
State of the State Address - Feb. 26, 2025
February 26, 2025
Hello, Michigan! I’m honored to be here tonight for my State of the State Address. Seven down, one to go! If you’re tuning in between the MSU game or the Pistons game…. thank you. To Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Attorney General Dana Nessel, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson… these are hard jobs and we’re serving in tough times. Thank you for your partnership. To the outgoing Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, Elizabeth Clement… thank you for protecting our constitution and upholding the rule of law. To the […]
Winsome Earle-Sears
categories: Concession Speech, Speeches
Concession Speech - Nov. 4, 2025
November 4, 2025
Thank you all for coming, you know, I’m really not even supposed to be here. Think about it: I mean, I’m an immigrant from another country, and yet, you all have given me the opportunity to do this. This is such an amazing thing for me. Really, even when I had the protestors from the other side, I looked at them in wonder. They thought they were hurting me, but they weren’t because I thought to myself, this is America. It’s amazing that we can protest each other and go […]
Abigail Spanberger
categories: Campaign Speech, Speeches, Victory Speech
Virginia Gubernatorial Victory Speech – Nov. 4, 2025
November 4, 2025
Thank you all so much. My fellow Virginians, (Cheers and applause) Tonight, we sent a message. (Applause) We sent a message to every corner of the Commonwealth, a message to our neighbors and our fellow Americans across the country. (Cheering) We sent a message to the whole world that in 2025, Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship. (Cheering) We chose our Commonwealth over chaos. (Cheering) You all chose leadership that will focus relentlessly on what matters most. Lowering costs, keeping our communities safe, and strengthening our economy for every Virginian. (Cheering) […]
Rebecca Michelle “Mikie” Sherrill
categories: Speeches, Victory Speech
Victory Speech - Nov. 4, 2025
November 4, 2025
Well, they always say we’re loud, but man, with this vote, you guys just screamed from the rooftops! (Applause) And people around the country have heard you. I hear you too. This was a tough fight, and this is a tough state, but I know you, New Jersey, and I love you. I fought for you, I’ve spoken with thousands of you over this last year. I know your struggles, I know your hopes, I know your dreams. So serving you is worth any tough fight I have to take […]
Gretchen Whitmer
categories: Speeches, State of State
Gretchen Whitmer - State of the State - January 24, 2024
January 24, 2024
Thank you! Good evening, Michigan! The home of the best football in the country, am I right? From our national championship Wolverines to our Detroit Lions. I am excited to be here tonight between two leaders who have gotten a lot done over the past year: Speaker Joe Tate and Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. I want to acknowledge Minority Leaders Matt Hall and Aric Nesbitt thank you for your leadership and a happy early birthday to you, Senator Nesbitt. We together delivered a balanced budget focused on the kitchen-table issues […]
Marian Wright Edelman
categories: Acceptance Speech, Speeches
2006 Choral Arts Humanitarian Award Acceptance Speech - Jan. 08, 2006
January 8, 2006
I am so honored by this honor, and to follow anywhere in the footsteps of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, who’s been my great mentor. And I want to thank Maxine Baker from the Freddie Mac Foundation, who personifies caring and strategic corporate philanthropy. Thank you, Maxine, for your leadership. I first met and heard Dr. King on April 10th, 1960 at Spelman in Spelman College’s Sisters Chapel. And three of his lessons branded themselves in my mind and in my heart. He talked about the importance of faith, about having […]
Pauli Murray
Speeches
The Negro Woman in the Quest for Equality - Nov. 14, 1963
November 14, 1963
Negro women, historically, have carried the dual burden of Jim Crow and Jane Crow. They have not always carried it graciously but they have carried it effectively... In the course of their climb, Negro women have had to fight against the stereotypes of "female dominance" on the one hand and loose morals on the other hand, both growing out of the roles forced upon them during the slavery experience and its aftermath. But out of their struggle for human dignity, they also developed a tradition of independence and self-reliance... In […]
Pauli Murray
categories: Speeches, U.S. House Committee/Subcommittee Meeting/Hearing
Extending Protection Against Sex-Based Discrimination - Jun. 19, 1970
June 19, 1970
Madam Chairman and members of the subcommittee: I am Pauli Murray, professor of American Studies at Brandeis University. I teach legal studies, civil rights, law and social change and a course on women in American society. My task in a college of liberal arts is to expose undergraduates to an understanding of the legal system in its various aspects — the judicial process, the legislative process and the administrative process, and my appearance before this committee is in the nature of “in-service-training.” Many of my students are headed for law […]