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Mahalia Espiritu

Ms. Jorgensen

English 10 H P5

22 February 2019

A Whole New World

In the speech given at the Golden Globes last year, Oprah Winfrey, a well known

advocate for the rights of women and famed talk show host, claims that the lack of appreciation

for women is coming to an end.

She develops this claim by first thanking and praising all the women who share their

story and follow their dreams. “But it’s not just a story affecting the entertainment industry. It’s

one that transcends any culture, geography, race, religion, politics, or workplace. So I want

tonight to express gratitude to all the women who have endured years of abuse and assault

because they, like my mother, had children to feed and bills to pay and dreams to pursue.”

(Winfrey 2) In saying this she brings up the importance of the women who get overlooked by

society and gives them the recognition they deserve. Then Winfrey references the story of Recy

Taylor who was abducted by six armed white men, raped, and left blindfolded by the side of the

road. In 1944 her story was reported to the NAACP where Rosa Parks became the lead

investigator and tried to fight for justice in Taylor’s name. Winfrey states “For too long, women

have not been heard or believed if they dare speak the truth to the power of those men.” (Winfrey

3) Recy Taylor was threatened by the men that had abused her to not tell about what happened…

Winfrey’s argument consists of pathos, from telling her own story at the start of her

speech to including the struggles of other women. She also talks about her experience as a
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woman in the business and media. An ethos appeal is also made by Winfrey herself, being a

public icon her words are heard by many. Her argument is credible because it has currency,

relevance, and purpose. As of late everyday women have been made to feel unimportant by the

media and men. The topic of women empowerment is very relevant in these times, and the

purpose of this speech is clear: to thank the women who have helped change the game.

Overall, Oprah Winfrey presents an effective argument about women in power. She

implements Furthur, she establishes pathos and ethos appeal from real stories and words from

the heart. Though logos wasn’t as prominent she captures the audience with empathy. Also being

a woman in the spotlight, she has credibility when it comes to talking about this topic. This

argument really shows how women are tired of being less than men and are making the change

to gain equality. As time goes on and the world continues to change the inequality of women will

be something of the past, and Winfrey’s speech will have been a major catalyst to the start of that

change.
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Works Cited

“Oprah Winfrey's Full Golden Globes Speech.” ​CNN,​ Cable News Network, 10 Jan.

2018, www.cnn.com/2018/01/08/entertainment/oprah-globes-speech-transcript/index.html.