Sojourner Truth and Malala Yousafzai Part 1

Essential Questions about the Education of Females

• 
  Your notes from class discussions of the biographical backgrounds of both
  
• 
  Text of Sojourner Truth’s essay/speech given at the 1851 Women’s Rights Convention
  
• 
  Text/video of Malala Yousafzai’s speech to the United Nations on July 12, 2013
  

1. 
   In your own words, briefly describe the issue about which both women spoke about in public.
   

2. 
   Both women used the public media available to them, in their own time periods, to communicate their ideas. Briefly describe the media outlets each used.
   

3. 
   Think about and briefly indicate why it is important for citizens of any culture or country to understand why it is a human right to use public media to discuss social issues.
   

4. 
   Sojourner Truth and Malala Yousafzai wrote using pseudonyms (false names). Why do you think they did this?
   

5. 
   Both women had specific experiences that drove them to speak out about women’s rights. What happened to each woman that inspired her to speak out?
   

6. 
   Both women had similar reasons why women should have equal rights. Please find two statements in the text that demonstrate their similar ideas.
   

7. 
   Each woman discussed important things women contribute to society; name two in each speech.
   

8. 
   Both women spoke about religion in their speeches. Why do you think they did this? Was it just their personal choice, or do you think there are other reasons why they thought it was important to do that?
   

9. 
   Using your notes from class discussions, indicate two historical reasons why women have been treated unequally.
   

10. 
    Finally, why do you think it has taken so long for women to gain and why have they had to fight so hard for equal, human rights?
    

1. 
   Each woman, in her own way, discussed why it was important for women to be equal members of society. Discuss the ways in which women play an important role in their local and international communities and include in your discussion why denying women basic human rights has an affect on everyone.
   

2. 
   Both women called upon everyone to work together in the struggle for equality. Discuss: A. why group efforts are effective and B. give examples of how we can continue to work for equality, specifically, in educational opportunity for girls.