Speeches / page 3

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 […]
Gretchen Whitmer
categories: Speeches, State of State
Gov. Whitmer - State of the State Address - January 26, 2022
January 26, 2022
Good evening, Michigan. Today is our state's 185th birthday. To celebrate, we are at Detroit Diesel. Built in 1938 to help us when World War II peered a lifetime later, it is on the cutting edge of electric vehicle technology, built by the hard-working men and women of UAW 163. Places like this are where Michigan's future will be forged. I am thrilled to be here to deliver my State of the State address. Before we begin, let's take a moment to honor those who are not with us. Let's […]
Coretta Scott King
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate/Convocation Address, Speeches
Harvard’s 1968 Class Day Address: We May Yet Not Only Survive—We May Triumph - Jun. 12, 1968
June 12, 1968
Gentlemen of the graduating class of 1968, your parents and friends. It is indeed a humbling experience for me to have been invited by you to give your Class Day address. In trying to perform this awesome task which my late husband would have done with great ease, I feel a deep sense of inadequacy. Nonetheless the confidence and faith which you have placed in me is a source of encouragement and inspiration. In these days when young people want so earnestly to make their own decisions, it is most […]
Gretchen Whitmer
categories: Speeches, State of State
Gov. Whitmer - State of the State - January 27, 2021
January 27, 2021
Good evening. Last year I gave my second State of the State Address in the House chamber here in the capitol. Like much of the last year, this State of the State is different because it has to be. Tonight it's just me and a few people in my capitol office. And while it's different, it's an opportunity to speak directly to you, the people of Michigan, about the past year and our priorities in 2021. Now at the risk of losing you in the first minutes of this speech, […]
Gretchen Whitmer
categories: Speeches, State of State
Gov. Whitmer - State of the State Address - January 29, 2020
January 29, 2020
Thank you. Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist; Speaker Chatfield; Leader Greig; Majority Leader Shirkey; Leader Ananich; members of my cabinet; members of the bench; and all those who serve our state: thank you. I must say, everyone is looking fantastic tonight. But, this year, I want to get one thing straight: This is NOT the red carpet. Please, I urge you, focus on the substance of my speech. It’s about issues, not appearances. I don’t care how distracting Senator Shirkey’s outfit is—cut him a break. Tonight, I have the honor of speaking […]
Gretchen Whitmer
categories: Speeches, State of State
Gov. Whitmer - State of the State Address - January 23, 2019
January 23, 2019
Thank you, thank you everyone. It is a privilege to be addressing you tonight as the 49th governor of the great state of Michigan. To my partner Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist; Speaker Chatfield; House Democratic Leader Greig; Senate Majority Leader Shirkey; Senate Democratic Leader Ananich; members of the cabinet; my daughters, Sherry and Sydney; my husband, Marc; and my fellow Michiganders: Good evening. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak tonight about the growing challenges we face in Michigan, the steps we are going to take to address them, and […]