She Speaks

A powerful celebration of brilliant speeches by women throughout the ages, from Boudica to Greta Thunberg.

'A treasure trove of trailblazers...' Cathy Newman

Looking at lists of the greatest speeches of all time, you might think that powerful oratory is the preserve of men. But the truth is very different - countless brave and bold women have used their voices to inspire change, transform lives and radically alter history.

In this timely and personal selection of exceptional speeches, Yvette Cooper MP tells the rousing story of female oratory. From Boudica to Greta Thunberg and Margaret Thatcher to Malala, Yvette introduces each speech and demonstrates how powerful and persuasive oratory can be decidedly female. Written by one of our leading public voices, this is an inspirational call for women to be heard across the globe.

Review: A treasure trove of trail-blazers... These are women who have braved discrimination, bigotry and appalling threats to their lives to ensure their voices are heard. The least we can do is listen - and marvel at the inspiration they offer us. * Cathy Newman, presenter, Channel 4 News and author of Bloody Brilliant Women *

Inspirational. A book to rouse the orator in all of us. An anthology of powerhouse speeches deftly deconstructed by Cooper - a speaker with poise & passion. * Deborah Frances-White, author of The Guilty Feminist *

Wonderful... Cooper's book is more than a woke stocking-filler; it's an urgent reminder of the current chilling climate of political violence that is aimed disproportionately at women. * Independent * 

 

0: Introduction 1: BOUDICA: 'A Woman's Resolve' 2: QUEEN ELIZABETH I 'The Heart and Stomach of a King' 3: SOJOURNOR TRUTH 'I Am a Woman's Rights' 4: JOSEPHINE BUTLER 'A Voice in the Wilderness' 5: EMMELINE PANKHURST 'Freedom or Death' 6: ELEANOR RATHBONE 'An Insult to Mothers' 7: JOAN O'CONNELL 'The Promise of a Dream' 8: AUDRE LORDE 'There Are So Many Silences to Be Broken' 9: MARGARET THATCHER 'The Lady's Not for Turning' 10: MAYA ANGELOU 'On the Pulse of Morning' 11: BENAZIR BHUTTO 'The Ethos of Islam is Equality Between the Sexes' 12: BARBARA CASTLE 'The Red Light Has Gone On' 13: EVA KOR 'A Message of Hope and Healing' 14: THERESA MAY 'Modernising the Conservative Party' 15: WANGARI MAATHAI 'A World of Beauty and Wonder' 16: ELLEN DEGENERES 'I Know Who I Am' 17: ANGELA MERKEL 'A Door Suddenly Opened' 18: ALISON DRAKE 'Get Up There and Get At It' 19: JOANNE O'RIORDAN 'No Limbs No Limits' 20: JULIA GILLARD 'He Needs a Mirror' 21: CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE 'We Should All Be Feminists' 22: MALALA YOUSAFZAI 'Let Us Pick Up Our Books and Our Pens' 23: KAVITA KRISHNAN 'Freedom Without Fear' 24: LUPITA NYONG'O 'Being Beautiful Inside' 25: HARRIET HARMAN 'Parliament Must Lead by Example' 26: EMMA WATSON 'HeForShe' 27: JO COX 'More in Common' 28: YVETTE COOPER 'Britain Has to Play Our Part' 29: MICHELLE OBAMA 'When They Go Low, We Go High' 30: DONNA STRICKLAND 'Physics Is Fun' 31: ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ 'Today I Rise' 32: JACINDA ARDERN 'They Are Us' 33: DIANE ABBOTT 'We Will Not Rest' 34: LILIT MARTIROSYAN 'We Are Making History Today' 35: GRETA THUNBERG 'Let's Start Acting'