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A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be extremely difficult. – Melinda Gates, American Philanthropist
After thousands of years of patriarchy, of living under the shadow of men, of having their voice muted, women have come a long way. They have proven that in no measure are they in any way lesser than men.
Be it medical, astronomy, business or law, women have established themselves in every field. With their unwavering determination, relentless spirit, they have defeated the old norms that tried to hold them back and have formed their path to glory. In the public speaking world, their powerful voice and impactful stories infuse inspiration, energy, and motivation in everyone.
Public speaking is a skill that requires a lot of confidence, patience, and dedication. A person needs to have the steel of guts to stand in front of thousands and express opinions in a way that fascinates and binds everyone. While many have associated this profession with men, women from all times have shared the limelight as well.
Here are some Strong Female Public Speakers of all times whose powerful words will continue to reverberate forever:
1. Queen Elizabeth I
Queen Elizabeth I was the most celebrated queen of England. She ruled what is said to be the Golden Age of the country. She is one of the most powerful women known to the world.
After suffering imprisonment for a year, she ascended the throne after the demise of her sister Mary and brought with herself, the glorious reign that came to be known as the Elizabethan era. This era flourished English drama led by brilliant playwrights like William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe.
Known to guide her troops and move the crowds of thousands through her powerful demeanor, she ruled her country for almost forty-four years with an iron hand. Advised by courtiers and led by her mind, she was tactical in her approach and a motherly figure to the nation. She was given the title of ‘The Virgin Queen’ because she did not marry and was without children her whole life.
Most famous speech: Speech to the troops at Tilbury in preparation for an expected invasion by the Spanish army.
Most famous quote: To be a king and wear a crown is a thing more glorious to them that see it than it is pleasant to them that bear it.
2. Virginia Woolf
One of the most important modernist 20th-century writers, Adeline Virginia Woolf is known for her terrific writing skills in novels like To the Lighthouse and Mrs. Dalloway and essays like A Room of One’s Own.
Woolf led a chaotic and disturbed personal life suffering from bipolar disorder. She was sexually abused and was a first-hand victim of male-dominated family. After two failed attempts, she finally succeeded in committing suicide by drowning voluntarily. Her works were steeped in the personal trauma that she went through.
What made her stand out in the society was her clear cut approach to what can be termed as early feminism through her works and lectures.
Most famous speech: A Room of One’s Own later extended into an essay was the best one by her providing her harsh critique on the patriarchal structure of the society.
Most famous quote: If you do not tell the truth about yourself, you cannot tell it about other people.
3. Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai is not only a social activist but a role model for women all around the world. She was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman for her activism for the right to education.
This Nobel Peace Prize winner and founder of her own Malala Fund that works for girls' education rights has a voice that moves the society. Her speeches and books present the reality of today's society that wears a garb of a civilized one but is primarily patriarchal at its roots.
Most famous speech: Her Nobel peace prize speech which she delivered at just the age of 19 was enough to show the world of the fire that burns inside every hushed voice of a child denied its basic right of education and the females denied their equal status in society.
Most famous quote: When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.
4. Julia Gillard
One of the most influential women of the world, Julia is the first and only woman to hold the position of Deputy Prime Minister, Prime Minister and leader of the major party in Australia. Even after her political career, she has continued to work for education through different commitments including working as an honorary visiting Professor at the University Of Adelaide.
She is known to be a great politician and a good orator binding her audience through her direct and engaging approach with clear and precise words delivered with years of experience.
Most famous speech: Misogyny speech delivered in the parliament against the accusation of sexism by the leader from opposition marked her figure as a lioness in the world when she shredded his approach and accusations to tiny pieces and left her mark to admired by not only the people present but by the whole world.
Most famous quote: Education’s net economic benefits are greater than many other investments.
5. Oprah Winfrey
Ranked as the most influential woman numerous times, Oprah Winfrey is an epitome of the strength. She is North America’s first black multi-billionaire. From for her show The Oprah Winfrey Show, she introduced adversity to the television world and broke the taboos of the 20th century by providing a way for the LGBT community to enter the mainstream television.
Not only this, but she also introduced spirituality, literature, and mindfulness in her show.
Harassed at the young age and losing a child at the tender age of fourteen, she has talked extensively about sexual abuse and her own experience of it. She has also worked for education and donated millions and millions for education purposes.
Most famous speech: Her passionate Golden Globes Speech talking about racism to #MeToo movement brought tears in the eyes of millions including her own. Her words about sexual abusers, “Their time is up!” was not only a warning and declaration but a hope for an ideal state of the world.
Most famous quote: The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.
6. Sojourner Truth
Truth was an African American who was born into slavery. She worked through her life as a women rights activist and an abolitionist. She went through harassment in the midst of being traded into slavery like a livestock and even lost her first love to the cruelty of the owners.
Having worked throughout her life for her children's safety, she was no weak lady and this is evident in her brutal approach towards patriarchy.
She did not only work for women but was also an active participant in civil war and helped recruit black people in the Union Army during the war.
Most famous speech: Ain’t I a woman given by her at the Women’s Right Convention in 1851, Ohio silenced the male ministers present who were against the convention when she used their own tactics, bible and Christianity, to force a mirror of reality on their faces.
Most famous quote: It is the mind that makes the body.
Harassed, muted, abused and threatened, these women rose from the pitiable state that our society put them through, made their way in this cruel world and succeeded. Their success is a cruel slap to those who undermine the strength of women. Their powerful words and the eloquence with which they express themselves and presented realism will echo in our hearts forever.
Written by - Isha Jain
Edited by - Vasudha Sabharwal
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