Address to the Women of America facts for kids
On July 10, 1971, a famous leader named Gloria Steinem gave an important speech called "Address to the Women of America." She gave this speech when the National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC) was first started in Washington, D.C. Many people think this speech helped push forward the ideas of the American Women's Movement. Some even call it one of the most important speeches of the 20th century.
Contents
What Was the Speech About?
In her speech, Gloria Steinem talked about how people are often unfairly grouped. She said that things like a person's gender or race are often used to decide if they are "better" or "worse" than others. These easy differences, she explained, have been used to create unfair systems. She also believed that people should be able to choose their own roles in society, not be forced into them.
Who Was Gloria Steinem?
Gloria Steinem is a well-known writer and activist. She has spent her life working for equal rights for everyone. She was a very important leader in the Women's Movement in the United States. She helped start the National Women's Political Caucus. This group works to get more women involved in politics and government.
What Was the Women's Movement?
The Women's Movement was a big effort to get equal rights and opportunities for women. The "Second Wave" of this movement happened in the 1960s and 1970s. It focused on issues like equal pay, ending unfair treatment based on gender (called sexism), and giving women more control over their lives. The movement wanted to change society so that everyone, no matter their gender, had the same chances.
Why Was This Speech Important?
Steinem's speech was important because it talked about more than just issues related to gender. It also brought up problems like racism and differences in social class. She wanted a society where people were not judged by their gender or race. She dreamed of a world where everyone could choose their own path.
A Famous Quote from the Speech
One of the most remembered parts of her speech is this quote:
This is no simple reform. It really is a revolution. Sex and race, because they are easy, visible differences, have been the primary ways of organizing human beings into superior and inferior groups, and into the cheap labor on which this system still depends. We are talking about a society in which there will be no roles other than those chosen, or those earned. We are really talking about humanism.
This quote means that true change is not just small adjustments. It's a complete shift in how society works. It calls for a world where everyone is valued equally.
The Speech's Impact Today
Even today, parts of Gloria Steinem's speech are still remembered. For example, in 2016, the singer Jennifer Lopez used a part of the speech in her music video for the song "Ain't Your Mama". You can hear Steinem say, "This is no simple reform. It really is a revolution." This shows how her words continue to inspire people.
See also
In Spanish: Llamamiento a las mujeres de Estados Unidos para niños
