“Dana Rubin has put together a remarkable collection that amplifies the diverse voices of women in American history. Each woman is introduced and her historical context set. This is a valuable resource for teaching that both illuminates and instills pride in women, their thinking, and their courage.”—BETTINA APTHEKER, Distinguished Professor Emerita, Feminist Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz

“Why hasn’t anyone done something like this before? This splendid anthology brings together some voices that will be familiar and a great many more that are not—and should be. I hope it will encourage many more women and girls to make themselves heard at a time when some of the gains they’ve made in recent decades are under threat.”—ADAM HOCHSCHILD, Author of King Leopold’s Ghost, finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award,and American Midnight: The Great War, a Violent Peace, and Democracy’s Forgotten Crisis

“The legacy of women's speech in America is strong, showing us the importance of celebrating our history with future generations.”—BILLIE JEAN KING, Winner of thirty-nine Grand Slam tennis titles and gender activist

“It’s hard to overstate the value of Dana Rubin’s work as a critical counter to a culture that persistently erases what women think, believe, know, and say. It’s more important than ever to recognize that we have always spoken publicly and made vital contributions to history, politics, and society. Speaking While Female is a tool for doing exactly this.”—SORAYA CHEMALY, Cofounder of the Women’s Media Center Speech Project and author of Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger

“This is a vital book. By identifying and elevating the voices of women across the ages, Dana Rubin has successfully led all of us to examine our assumptions and to listen with new ears and open minds. Carefully curated, deftly edited, and brilliantly brought together, this is a collection that will not be silenced, but heard.”—JON MEACHAM, Political speechwriter and author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

“Speaking While Female is a welcome addition, featuring some of the most eloquent speeches ever delivered in America. Each of these women moved her listeners to join her cause or contemplate the plight of her community at an important point in the country’s history. They deserve to be read and remembered.”—LINDA CHAVEZ, Reagan White House advisor and author of An Unlikely Conservative