Public Speaking

My personal history of public speaking has been inconsistent. During high school and college, it was nonexistent; in fact, I avoided taking any class that included any speaking requirement. It was not until I was in my thirties and becoming active in the women’s movement that I began to speak — and speak out. My terror of speaking was finally overcome by my desire to influence others with my words. Evidently, I was effective as well. While serving as president of the local Pennsylvania branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), I was honored as their Woman of the Year. I still have the dog tag given to me by my then-husband.

For the past four decades, I have frequently spoken for social justice in a variety of settings, often extemporaneously. It’s interesting to me that it’s not something I enjoy or seek. However, when it seems to be needed, I don’t hesitate to stand and open my mouth. Sometimes, it is planned and thoughtfully arranged.

For example, in 2019, I traveled to Israel and Palestine with a Jewish family, that I had recently met. They were (and are) activists, working to help others examine the glaring inequities in that region. Before the trip, I assured them that I was already quite active, with no intention of adding another cause to my life. By the time I returned home, I could not remain silent. Within the two months following my trip, six talks had been arranged for me in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Florida. Reading newspaper reports about conflict in other parts of the world is useful, but limited. When I had the chance to experience it firsthand, I could not remain silent.

I also wrote about it. That writing also influenced others, resulting in seed-money funding to support others desiring to travel there. In fact, one recipient of that funding is there right now. She has altered her initial intention to be there a month and is now committed to three months of service work, to return to the US at the end of November. One of the commitments she has made is to speak about her experiences upon her return. I greatly look forward to being in her audience.

On a completely different topic, I was recently asked to speak to the Salem Explorers, a learning group, about some of my vacation travel experiences. Evidently, I cannot speak publicly without sharing my convictions and attempting to influence my audience. My talk began with a quote from Mark Twain: Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.

I have been invited to speak again next year about my planned trip on a canal boat in France. I said yes, though I still don’t enjoy public speaking.