Despite being black and female (two groups that have traditionally been
discriminated against throughout history), each of these women used a strong
voice to get attention.
Sojourner eventually made her way across America,
finding ways to meet with some of the most influential people of the time
(including the President, Abraham Lincoln!). When slavery was abolished, she
fought even more strongly for the rights of blacks and women. Her most famous
speech emphasized the equality and strength of the female population. Here are
a few excerpts from her “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech at the 1851 Women’s Rights
Convention in Akron, Ohio:
“That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and
lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody helps me any
best place. And ain’t I a woman? . . .
Look at me! Look at my arm. I have plowed, I have planted and I have
gathered into barns. And no man could head me. And ain’t I a woman?
I could work as much, and eat as much as a man—when I could get it—and bear
the lash as well! And ain’t I a woman?
I have borne children and seen most of them sold into slavery, and I cried
out with a mother’s grief . . . And ain’t I a woman?”
It was a powerful speech that had a lasting impact on those who attended
that convention and on others they would go on to influence later.
Oprah’s voice also garnered attention, even early on. When she moved to live
with her father, she started making use of that gift, and soon became part of
her school’s drama club and student council. She represented her state at the
White House Conference on Youth, and her voice was “discovered” during the
talent portion of a beauty contest.
She continued to capitalize on this strength and moved from being a radio
newscaster in high school to a reporter and co-anchor at a local TV station
while still in university. In 1984, she took over a Chicago
talk show that eventually became The Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah’s show now
enjoys an audience of over 15 million viewers worldwide. Her voice is heard, to
be sure!