I need to do an oration speech in front of my school, on a great American leader.I don't know who to do it on

Question

I do not want it to be any presidents,or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,Iwould like it to be a female.

Answer 1

How about Nancy Pelosi, who holds the highest office any woman has ever held in the U.S. - speaker of the House - she is second in line (behind the Vice President) to succeed the President.

Other prominent female political leaders are Hillary Clinton and Condoleeza Rice.

Madeleine Albright was the first and only female Secretary of State.

Wilma Mankiller is the first female to lead a Native American tribe, the Cherokee.

Shirley Chisholm is the first African-American woman to be elected to Congress.

Elizabeth Blackwell was America's first female doctor.

Sally Ride was the first American woman in space.

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Answer 2

Here's one with a twist..

Why don't you do it on Eamon Devalera - Irish revolutionary and the longest serving President in Ireland. He effectively gained Irish Independence from Britain in 1921, set up the Irish Parliament and was the President of Ireland for 14 years!

He was born in New York but moved to Ireland when he was a youngster because his father died. He was raised by his Irish grandmother. He's a hero in Ireland but really is a "great American leader" since he was born in the USA. He was actually set to be executed in 1916 for his role in a rebellion against England, however when the authorities discovered he helde an American passport they didn't execute him in case the US retaliated.

I know you have a preference for a female leader but I think this might be a good angle and you can be sure your audience will be captured since they probably won't have heard this story before.

Good Luck

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eamon_DeValera

Answer 3

Any of the answers so far have merit. I suggest that you do it on someone that you personally admire. The term "great American leader" can be interpreted in many ways. Did the assignment specifically state that you needed to do your speech on someone who is or was in a leadership role in the country? If not, check with you instructor to see if you could do it on someone you personally admire and consider a leader in whatever she does. I would avoid most actresses, but some like Oprah Winfrey certainly have leadership roles, just not in the country per se. The leader could also be someone you admire at your school--principal, an inspiring teacher or counselor, etc.

Answer 4

Sam Houston...sorry.... Betsy Ross

Answer 5

How about Harriet Tubman?

Answer 6

anne hutchinson was good. she was very intelligent, spoke out against the clergy, and taught people to read and write.. she was exiled for her out outrageousness and fled to another state....

Answer 7

Ayn Rand

start here ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_rand