‘Why Sit Here and Die’ Speech

Sign up for free access to this entire collection
The New York Public Library MOhXYbJmSiI Unsplash

In her 1832 speech, Maria W. Stewart addresses the New England Anti-Slavery Society about the status of African American rights. She was an abolitionist, women’s rights activist, teacher, and journalist who gave the first lecture by a woman to an audience of both men and women. As students read, they should take note on the evidence Stewart uses to support her argument. This text is for 12th grade readers.

The Allegory of the Cave
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud

Reading Presentations Library