Susan B. Anthony: Actions Speak Louder Than Words

“When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” ("Voice Quotes." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2016.) Malala Yousafzai once said this, and she was right. A person’s voice is very powerful when listened to. People, at least in the U.S., have the right and power to say what they want. And when they say the things they think, their words become powerful; powerful enough to alter society. Have you ever heard the phrase “actions speak louder than words”? Well, this essay is here to show you that sometimes just words are enough to make a difference. A person’s voice is enough to alter society and make a difference. People such as Nelson Mandela, Susan B. Anthony, and William Shakespeare have altered society with their

Susan B. Anthony had a huge impact on society during the 1800’s. She was raised in a family with strong views on equality and was raised into the views that encompassed her life. In fact, “Her family … was active in the temperance movement, abolishment of slavery, and women’s rights movement.” (AR, By Jaymishae Jonesboro. "Susan B. Anthony and Her Effect on America." Teen Ink. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2016.). Susan, later in her life, got a job as the head of a school and she used her influence to make a difference. She “called for equal educational opportunities for all regardless of race, and for all schools, colleges, and universities to open their doors to women and ex-slaves.” (AR, By Jaymishae Jonesboro. "Susan B. Anthony and Her Effect on America." Teen Ink. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2016.). In addition to opening educational opportunities, she also justified her actions using the very things that restricted the people. When questioned about her beliefs she once used an excerpt from the constitution, “"We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for

Another person who had an effect on society with his voice was William Shakespeare. Although he was not a recent part of our history the effect of his writings on our society is still evident. Living from 1564 until 1616 Shakespeare wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and is considered to be the greatest writer of the English language (Coleridge, Samuel Taylor. "Short Biography William Shakespeare •." Biography Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2016.). Shakespeare added what some think to be around 30,000 words to the English language. A lot of the words he came up with contained Greek and Latin roots that would eventually be evaluated in our schools and used in excess. His works continue to be used in our school systems. Many have written and performed things that have been inspired by his works. For example, Mr. Rich, a teacher at South Oldham High School, is writing an excerpt that was originally inspired by Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”. Not only are his writings affecting others writing, but their everyday speech as well. People use phrases that come from his writing without even knowing it, Phrases such as “a fool’s paradise”; “the game is up”; “dead as a doornail”; “more in sorrow than in anger”; “cruel, only to be kind”; and dozens more (McCrum, Robert. "Ten Ways in Which Shakespeare Changed the World." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 17 Apr. 2016. Web. 17 Nov. 2016.). Some of his writings also preserved parts of history. Although they would have been from