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Speech |
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Angel Senior Member
since 1999-07-02
Posts 551Pennsylvania 
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Next month, I was chosen to be in the Miss Pennsylvania Junior Teen Pageant and have decided to enter an optional contest called "Miss Spokesmodel" in which each girl writes and presents a speech about one of a few topics. I chose "The Most Influential American Woman in History" and the following is my speech. I'm really nervous about it and any feedback or suggestions to improve it would help a lot. I don't want people falling asleep on me  .She was a leader amongst followers, a woman amongst men. She paved the way for future activists following in her footsteps. She was an avid leader in the women's suffrage movement and supported an immediate end to slavery. She opposed the use of alcohol and supported the idea of equal pay for equal work. She registered and voted illegally in 1872. She was so steadfast in her ways she was often referred to as "The Invincible" and the "Napoleon of the woman's rights movement." In 1979 and 1980 the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin was minted making her the first woman to ever be on a United States coin in general circulation. And yet, through all of this, she was the target of masculine ridicule. Susan Brownell Anthony was born on February 15, 1820 in Adams, Massachusetts to a family of Quakers. At the age of 17 she began to teach, as she wished to work and teaching was the only job open to women. She started her crusade in 1848. She became a part of the Temperance Movement for the next five years. She was a member of the American Anti-Slavery Society from 1856 to 1861. Only two years later, she founded the Women's Loyal League which fought for the freedom of slaves. She began working for women's suffarge in 1850 when she met Elizabeth Cady Stanton, another activist of the time. The two became very good friends and went door to door with woman's suffarge petitions. In 1869 she became a part of the Woman Suffarage Association. During the presidential elections of 1872 Anthony registered and cast a ballot. She was arrested and convicted immediately. Her jury consisted solely of men since women had not yet earn that right. When she was handed her sentence of paying a $100 fine she answered the judge by saying, "May it please your honor, I will never pay a dollar of your unjust penalty." The fine goes unpaid to this day. In 1888, she formed the International Council of Women. Susan Brownell Anthony died in 1906, giving fifty years of her life to woman's suffarge. Although she died long before, the nineteenth amendment to the United States Constitution was nicknamed the "Anthony Amendment". Susan B. Anthony dedicated her life to worthy causes. She fought so that each and every one of us could sit here today, not as people judged by race or gender, but as Americans, each with inalienable rights bestowed upon us at birth. And so, today, I challenge each man and woman alike, to contemplate whether or not you would have the courage to stand up for something you believe in so firmly. Would you face a court full of people considered to be better than you? Would you put your morals above all else? Would you do anything in your power for a cause you deemed so worthy? Susan Brownell Anthony did, and great things came from it, which is why I believe she is the most influential woman in history. ~Susie < !signature--> "If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility." ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow "Driftwood" [This message has been edited by Angel (edited 06-14-2000).] |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
She started her crusade in 1848 when she became a part of the Temperance Movement until 1853. This part sounds confusing here. Are you saying that she was on her crusade until 1853, or part of the Temperance movement? It's confusing, you may consider clearing it up, perhaps two sentences. when she met Elizabeth Cady Stanton, another activist of her time. It may sound better at the end if you say "another activist of the time. This way it can apply to either woman. ...men since women did not yet earn that right. It would be more proper here to say "...since women had not yet earned that right." Although she died long before she ever saw the Nineteenth Amendment, nicknamed the "Anthony Amendment" to the United States Constitution. This sounds like somthing should come after it, but I don't think that was your intent. you may want to consider re-writing it like: "Although she died long before, the nineteenth amendment to the United States Constitution was nicknamed the 'Anthony Amendment.'" ...each with unalienable rights bestowed... LOL, I think you meant inalienable rights! Incredible! She was an amazing woman, wasn't she? You've done an excellent job here overall! It covers the crucial information, while not sounding textbook. Great, and congratulations on giving the speech!!! Chris PS: any questions about what I've written above, please e-mail me. |
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Angel Senior Member
since 1999-07-02
Posts 551Pennsylvania |
Thanks Chris I understood exactly what you were talking about. I wrote it kind of late last night so I didn't get a chance to really fix what I wanted to. LoL at unalienable  . Thanks again for all your help.~Susie "If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility." ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow "Driftwood" |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
You're welcome, and good luck! |
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