10 Famous Speeches on Feminism Everyone Should Hear (with Videos)

Throughout history, many feminist women have left an indelible mark through their powerful and convincing speeches. These brave and visionary women used the spoken word as a tool to challenge social norms, promote gender equality, and fight for women's rights. Their seminal speeches not only resonated in their respective eras, but continue to inspire and empower today's generations.

From iconic figures like Simone de Beauvoir and Gloria Steinem to contemporaries Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Emma Watson, these pioneering women rose up on public platforms to denounce oppression, question patriarchal structures, and advocate for inclusion and gender justice. If you want to be an empowered woman like these visionaries, follow these keys that we leave you in this link .

Through their eloquent words, they challenged gender stereotypes, highlighted the importance of women's empowerment, and outlined a bold vision of an equal society.

From influential speeches given at international conferences to motivational talks at Technology, Entertainment and Design ( TEDx) events, these historic feminists managed to capture the world's attention and create a change in the collective mindset. His words resonated in the hearts and minds of people, encouraging critical reflection and mobilizing action.

Through this content, we will delve into the legacy of these feminists who marked history with their speeches, exploring the ideas and ideals they promoted, as well as the lasting impact they have had in the fight for gender equality. Her words, full of courage and determination, continue to illuminate the path towards a more equitable future free of discrimination for all women.

Her speeches have challenged patriarchal structures and been a catalyst for social change, driving the feminist agenda and paving the way towards a more equitable world. In this text, we will explore some of these extraordinary women and the speeches that marked a milestone in the fight for gender equality. First we want you to know the characteristics that feminist women have .

1. "I am not afraid" by Emma Watson in the United Nations "HeForShe" campaign in 2014

Emma Watson is a British actress known for her portrayal of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films.

Watson is also known for her feminist activism, and in 2014 she addressed the public at a special HeForShe campaign event at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

In her speech, Watson called for gender equality and advocated for men's participation in the fight for gender equality. During her speech, Watson stated "I am not afraid" to say that feminism and gender equality are not just a women's issue, but must be a joint effort of men and women.

2. "The Danger of the Single Story" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie at TEDx in 2012

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's most famous speech is probably "The Danger of the Single Story," which she gave at a TEDx talk in Edinburgh in 2012.

In it, Adichie talked about how stereotypes and unique stories about people different from us can limit our understanding of the world and perpetuate discrimination. His talk became one of the most viewed speeches in TED history and was widely broadcast around the world. Adichie has also given other speeches and talks on feminism and the role of women in society, including her famous talk "We Should All Be Feminists."

3. Black Women: Shaping Feminist Theory" by bell hooks in 1981

Bell Hooks' most famous speech is not exactly a speech, but a book titled "Black Women: Shaping Feminist Theory", published in 1981. Don't miss reading what black feminism is at this link .

In this book, hooks addresses the experience of black women in America and how feminism must include their voices and struggles in the fight for gender equality. The book became a landmark in feminist theory and has been widely cited and studied in recent years. Hooks has also given talks and speeches on feminism and has written numerous books and essays on the topic, including "Feminism for the 99%" and "Feminist Theory: From the Marginal to the Center."

4. "The Urgency of Equality" by Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the United States Supreme Court in 2015

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a United States Supreme Court justice who became an icon of feminism and gender equality 1 2 . In 2015, she gave a speech at the Supreme Court titled "The Urgency of Equality," in which she spoke about the importance of working toward gender equality and the role the law plays in that effort.

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Ginsburg was a tireless advocate for women's rights throughout her judicial career, fighting in many important cases to ensure gender equality and the protection of the rights of all people. She passed away in September 2020, but her legacy and influence in the world of justice and feminism remains inspiring.

5. "The Nobel Prize acceptance speech" by Malala Yousafzai in 2014

Malala Yousafzai is a young Pakistani activist recognized for her fight for women's education and gender equality. In 2014, she received the Nobel Peace Prize for her work defending human rights and girls' education 1 2 .

In her award acceptance speech , Malala spoke about the importance of education and the need to involve women and young girls in the fight for gender equality. The speech was given in Oslo, Norway, and was very emotional and inspiring, with Malala saying that the award was a tribute to "the voices that cannot be heard." Since then, Malala has remained a passionate advocate for education and gender equality around the world.

6. Gloria Steinem's speech at the Women's March in Washington DC in 2017

Gloria Steinem is an American writer, journalist, and feminist activist who has worked for decades fighting for gender equality and women's rights.

One of Gloria Steinem's most famous speeches is her speech at the Women's March in Washington DC in 2017, where she spoke about the importance of gender equality and the need for women to unite and fight together for their rights. .

In the speech, Steinem said: "It is the time to raise our voices, to use our words, to unite in action and make a new history together. It is the time for resolution, the time for resistance." Steinem's speech was widely shared on social media and became a call to action for many women and gender equality advocates around the world.

7. "Pornography: Men Possessing Women" by Andrea Dworkin at the University of Melbourne in 1981

Andrea Dworkin was an American feminist writer and activist who fought for women's rights and gender equality. One of his most famous speeches was "Pornography: Men Possessing Women," published in 1981.

In this book and other works, Dworkin denounced violence against women in the pornographic industry and argued that pornography was a form of sexual oppression and degradation of women. Her work was highly controversial and generated widespread debate in the feminist community about freedom of expression and censorship. Dworkin passed away in 2005, but his work remains influential today.

8. "Feminism, Islam and the struggle for liberation" by Asra Nomani at TEDx in 2016

Asra Nomani is an American feminist activist and Muslim who has fought for gender equality and women's rights within Islam. Before continuing to tell you about it, it is important that you know the difference between gender equality and equity .

In her speech "Feminism, Islam, and the Struggle for Liberation" at TEDx in 2016 , Nomani spoke about the need for a feminist movement within Islam, highlighting the challenges and stereotypes faced by Muslim women around the world.

In her speech, Nomani also discussed the history of Islamic feminism and how Muslim women can use their own traditions and teachings to fight oppression and gender inequality. Her speech was a blaze of hope in the fight for gender equality in the Islamic world and has been widely shared and discussed around the world.

9. "The Courage of Women" by Hillary Clinton at the World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995

Hillary Clinton is an American politician and former United States Secretary of State who has fought for women's rights and gender equality throughout her career.

At the World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 , Clinton gave a speech titled "The Courage of Women," in which she spoke about the importance of gender equality and the need for women to unite and fight for their rights. rights .

In her speech, Clinton said that "if there is one lesson we have learned in recent decades, it is that no fight for freedom ever ends. Freedom is a work in progress." The event was widely recognized and applauded around the world , and is considered a key moment in the fight for gender equality and women's rights.

10. The Empty Womb Speech by Wendy Davis in 2013

Wendy Davis is an American politician and former Texas state senator who has fought for women's rights, reproductive health, and gender equality.

As for her "Empty Womb" speech in 2013, it was a call against proposed legislation in Texas that sought to drastically restrict access to abortion.

In her speech, Davis told the story of her own experience having an abortion, and spoke about the importance of access to health care and reproductive rights for women. Her speech generated a lot of attention and support from pro-choice activists in the United States, and became a symbol of the fight for reproductive rights and gender equality.

These articles may also interest you:

• What is feminism? Where was it created? Know its history, birth, precursors and its importance
• 12 examples of feminism, characteristics and how they are applied in 2023
• What is feminism and how is it produced on social networks?
• What is intersectional feminism? Explanation, history and books about it

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