Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Monica Lunin, Wiley, $29.95.
The art of inspiring action through speech is a powerful way to communicate. Words have the power to change the world. A speech that is masterfully delivered, well-timed and beautifully constructed can change someone’s mind, open their heart and inspire them to act.
Lunin says it’s time to hold up the speeches made by women, so often overlooked, to examine their power, extract their wisdom and spread them as examples for other women and girls.
She has curated and analysed each of the 40 speeches for the lessons it contains. “All the women featured here used their voice, and their will, to bring about change in some way. I believe we should celebrate their commitment and their decision to speak up, without needing to interrogate the significance of their historic contribution.”
Intended to be a celebration of diversity, from Queen Elizabeth I to Maya Angelou, Greta Thunberg, Julia Gillard and Michelle Obama, Lunin examines these masterful speeches and explores not only what was said but also how the speech worked and why it was effective.
In this collection, the communication expert examines these inspiring and commanding speeches that changed minds, communities, the world and learnings to evoke the changes you want to see.
Across 10 chapters, each representing a different theme — from inspiration to activism to storytelling — What She Said shows how you too can harness and leverage the power of the spoken word.
It’s an insightful exploration of female wit and persuasion, and is a must-read for anyone looking for practical and relevant lessons on oratorical leadership.
They are from inspirational women who changed the world.
