Speaking While Female: 75 Extraordinary Speeches by American Women

by Dana Rubin

This monumental collection assembles speeches by 75 American women, some whose names are recognized and others who are barely known. Some of the speeches in this collection have never been published; others not in more than a century. Arranged chronologically, from the Puritan era to the present, they demonstrate the crucial role women have played in the nation’s long struggle to live up to its ideals.
Speaking While Female presents an entirely new lens through which to view our country’s history, and asks the question: Whose voices should define who we are? To know American history, we must hear these women speak.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism

398 pages, Hardcover

Published June 6, 2023

Reviews

[Sophy Laughing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dana Rubin's exceptional book is a monumental achievement in the annals of women's rights and American history. By meticulously researching and compiling 75 empowering speeches by American women that had been lost to history, Rubin has performed a truly invaluable service. Her dedication to rediscovering these critical pieces of our past and bringing them to light is not just commendable; it's a profound act of historical reclamation and justice.

Each speech in this collection serves as a testament to the resilience, intelligence, and formidable spirit of women who, despite the constraints of their times, dared to speak out. Rubin's work ensures that these powerful voices, once buried by time and neglect, are now heard, appreciated, and serve as a source of inspiration for women and girls everywhere.

The book's appeal transcends generations, making it a treasured addition to any library. Sharing this book with my daughter, mother, sister-in-law, and friends, I witnessed firsthand the impact of these speeches; they spark deep discussions, encourage reflection, and inspire action. It's a gift that resonates on many levels, enriching the lives of all who read it.

Rubin's meticulous research and passionate writing not only honor the legacies of these extraordinary women but also highlight the ongoing journey towards gender equality. This collection of speeches is a powerful reminder to use our voices, guiding us through the struggles of the past and lighting the way for future advocacy and empowerment.

Dana Rubin’s book does more than just commemorate the past; it acts as a rallying cry for women and young girls today to recognize their power and use their voices for change. It's a clarion call to action, reminding us of the importance of our collective history and the role each of us can play in continuing the fight for equality.

In essence, Dana Rubin's book is an indispensable resource and an empowering resource that I wholeheartedly recommend to everyone, not just women. It's a compelling reminder of the transformative power of speech and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Every person, especially those in positions of influence like female politicians, can draw wisdom and courage from these pages. Here's to the voices of the past shaping the leaders of the future!

[Joan Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come and read the words from women upon whose shoulders we stand. I am in awe of the clarity and courage of the voices documented in this collection. Since getting this book, I’ve read (and highlighted passages from) a few speeches every morning. Attacked and vilified, the women’s speeches in this volume, from Anne Hutchinson in 1637 to Bina Venkataraman in 2021, record how they refused to be silent. Thank you, Dana Rubin, for researching and assembling this inspiring anthology.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've spent a speechwriting career hearing men repeatedly held up as the exemplars of public speaking. This book is an important contribution to ending the erasure of women's contributions to oratory and public dialogue, from the 17th century to the 21st.

Dana Rubin has curated a remarkable collection of speeches you won't find in the (overwhelmingly white, overwhelmingly male) speech anthologies out there. She's dug deep to find women's voices so often forgotten from America's past, not only compiling speeches but crafting biographical portraits that frame them with invaluable context.

For speakers and writers alike looking for fresh, striking quotations and inspiration, this book is an absolutely essential reference. (Especially for those of us who think speeches, articles and LinkedIn posts have had more than enough Warren Buffet and Tony Robbins quotations by now.) (Really. We're good. Maybe check again in a few centuries or so.) I know I'll be coming back to this volume again and again as part of my own work.

And this book is more than a reference piece. Speaking While Female makes the case that women — including Black, Indigenous, racialized, poor and queer women — have always been a force in shaping not only American oratory, but American history and social change.

We need more books like Speaking While Female, helping to unearth the contributions that the voices of women and gender-non-conforming people have made. Not just in the U.S., but everywhere. And we need to hear those voices quoted and cited — and first-hand.

[David Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speaking While Female is a commanding and necessary contribution to American historical literature. Dana Rubin assembles 75 speeches by American women across nearly four centuries some famous, many long overlooked and restores their voices to the national narrative.

The book is arranged chronologically, allowing readers to feel the progression of American ideals through the women who demanded, defended, and redefined them. From early Puritan-era convictions to contemporary calls for justice, these speeches reveal courage, intellect, ingenuity, and moral clarity. Some entries appear in print for the first time, while others are resurrected from obscurity, making this collection both an archival achievement and a cultural reckoning.

Rubin’s framing invites readers to reconsider whose words we treat as historically significant and what changes when we place women’s voices at the center rather than the margins. Thought provoking, elegantly curated, and rich with guiding context, Speaking While Female earns its place among essential works of American nonfiction.

[September Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speaking While Female is a powerful and illuminating collection that reframes the way we view American history. Dana Rubin brings together 75 speeches from women whose voices shaped, challenged, and pushed the nation forward—some well-known, many unjustly overlooked.

What makes this anthology remarkable is the clarity and emotional force carried through centuries of speeches. Each woman speaks with purpose, courage, and conviction, offering a vivid snapshot of the social and political landscapes they fought to influence. Rubin’s thoughtful curation allows readers to feel the progression of history through lived experience rather than textbook summary.

This is not just a collection of speeches—it is a reminder of the voices that have long deserved center stage. Inspiring, educational, and deeply resonant, this book belongs in every classroom, library, and home. A truly meaningful contribution to American nonfiction.

—September Withers
Professional Book Marketer.

[Ellen Neuborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speaking While Female showcases women and their great speeches. It counters the argument that history is made by “great men” at the speaker’s podium. These speeches, from antiquity to the present, show the ways in which women’s voices have had impact. The collection is the work of Dana Rubin, a veteran speechwriter and advocate for diversity. She brings knowledge and commitment to this project and it shows on every page. For maximum impact, try reading them aloud. Hear of the voices of the women come up from the page.

[MaggiK · Rating 5 out of 5]

For much of last year I randomly opened this book and read the speech on the right or left side. For this year I am reading the speeches in the chronological order the author chose. In both reading strategies I continue to notice the rollercoastering of my emotions. I get angry, curious, determined, joyous, discouraged, hopeful and more. I wish this book had been available to me when I was about 14. I'm sure it would have made a difference in who I am today. I bought a copy for a neighbor's 13-year-old daughter. She is reading it, thinking about it, and asking questions. Yay.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and inspiring stories that are well worth reading given by women from different perspectives, different cultures, and different circumstances of oppression. The author recognizes the fact that women have spoken up and out throughout history. Then she points out that what was lacking was the sharing of their voices through documenting, writing, and distributing what they had to say. Their messages needed to be heard by a broader audience of current and future generations. It was interesting to see the progression of change over the centuries, with a never give up attitude, in spite of setbacks and rejections (always in a non-violent way). Once a goal is accomplished, it is not enough, there is always room for improvement. Future generations are willing to take up the torch, aware of the need for additional changes. Changes that were essential to achieve equality and fairness for all. Some speeches challenge society, some chastise society and some eloquently present facts in a manner that couldn't be denied be society.