Book Review – She Speaks

She Speaks – A Review

This is a review for the book ‘She Speaks’ by Yvette Cooper. Yvette does a tremendous job in introducing each speech with her facts and opinions on what the context of the speeches were. She also provides a description of the people who wrote the speeches and what they were like. What the women were giving their speech for and what were possible outcomes of the speech they gave to society, humanity, or the environment. Therefore, this is an insight into the celebration of women across the globe who are feminists, pioneers, world leaders, queens and dignitaries, which is why this book is a must read!

The various speeches in this book gave us a diverse range of topics from women around the world. Although it can be overwhelming if you are a person who is empathetic this is so beautifully captured and well worth the read. It is the type of book you can pick up and put down when you need some inspiration. Yvette describes the book by quoting Audre Lourde – ‘Where the words of women are crying to be heard, we must each of us recognise our responsibility to seek those words out, to read them and share them’.

Emmeline Pankhurst is a suffragette leader, but the picture Yvette had in her parliamentary office was of this woman, of which when looking closely, Emmeline is captured through pictures of 10,000 women. Amongst this mosaic capturing Emmeline Pankhurst, there were women who are inspiring, magnificent, and sent in by people around the world. This was a beautiful statement Yvette describes when introducing Emmeline’s speech and without giving anything away here, Emmeline describes the need to speak out, not only for women, but for the sake of politics. She describes the voices of women and how they must make more noise than anyone else. Emmeline described her torture and how many strong and determined women lost their liberty and health, yet she still refused to give in.

Another superb speech was by Benazir Bhutto, the first female leader of the Pakistan People’s Party. Benazir made a strong statement that women’s equality and empowerment are a part of Islam and that it is imperative women are seen as equal amongst the sexes. She was eventually assassinated but even years after her death, Malala Yousafzai too took on the role, as a young woman, speaking powerfully about the power of girls’ education and women’s empowerment. Benazir’s story is incredible, and her speech continues to inspire long after she passed.

Angela Merkel is a true inspiration for women, of all ages because she was talking about climate change. Her most inspiring words explain, ‘The walls in our minds, the walls of short-sighted self-interest, and the walls between present and the future’ depicts her interpretation of prejudice, protectionism, and the failure of tackling climate change. Angela also explains that, ‘If we break down the walls that hem us in, if we step out into the open and have the courage to embrace new beginnings, everything is possible’. This is extremely powerful because she depicts a time in history being repeated because the lessons haven’t been learned. Change isn’t possible in the minds of people who are ignorant to these realities. Angela is also respectful of people’s history, traditions, cultural identities and religion, which is very apparent when the movement of Black Lives Matter protests which demonstrated global unity and division, not only in 2020, but over centuries.

There is more to this review, check out the full version here. Where you can find more speeches and captions of the books.

These speeches are life changing, they have the ability to show your superhero badge of honour and what you are worthy of, capable of because these women are paving the way for change, for equality and justice, not just for women, but for the entire population.

If you enjoyed this review, have read the book please post a comment below on your thoughts and why it would be useful for people to read more. Next month’s book club is ‘Invisible Women’ – Exposing data bias in a world designed for men – by Caroline Criado Perez. There will also be a review on it too, so make sure you check back in a few weeks.

Thanks for your time, Tulshi.