Phenomenal Women presentation – 24 important women introduced with the 4 verses of Maya Angelou's Phenomenal Woman poem. Prepared as part of the Women's Equality Through Time March and Rally on August 28, 2015, in Durham NC.

Phenomenal Woman BY MAYA ANGELOU

VERSE 1 Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size But when I start to tell them, They think I’m telling lies. I say, It’s in the reach of my arms, The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.

Zora Neale Hurston: Anthropologist, Folklorist and Novelist of the Harlem Renaissance. Item: Book “Their Eyes Were Watching God.”

Queen Aliquippa: Leader of the Seneca tribe of American Indians Item: Picture of her mounted on poster

Sojourner Truth: Preacher, Abolitionist, Women’s rights advocate Item: Big sign that says “Ain’t I A Woman?”

Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Women’s Rights Activist, Abolitionist, Chief Author Declaration of Sentiments Item: Parchment copy of the Declaration of Sentiments

Susan B. Anthony: Suffragist, abolitionist, was arrested for voting, refused to pay fine Item: Pair of handcuffs

Bella Abzug: Lawyer, Congresswoman, Filed bill establishing Women’s Equality Day Item: Oversized, ornate hat VERSE 2 I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees. Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees. I say, It’s the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.

Hillary Clinton: Lawyer, First Lady, Senator, Secretary of State, Presidential Candidate, Grandmother Item: Signature sunglasses

Dolores Huerta: Labor Leader, Co-Founder National Farmworkers, Winner Presidential Medal of Freedom Item: Hoe

Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray: Co-Founder National Organization of Women, Author, Lawyer, Priest Item: Poster of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray

Ida B. Wells: Suffragist, Journalist, Newspaper Editor, Sociologist, Civil Rights Leader Item: Vote Suffrage Sash

Wilma Mankiller: Chief of the Cherokee Nation, Winner Presidential Medal of Freedom, Women’s Activist Item: Poster Medal of Freedom

Hala Alsalman: American-Muslim Filmmaker, Photojournalist, Producer Documentary Web Series Item: Picture of her mounted on posterboard VERSE 3 Men themselves have wondered What they see in me. They try so much But they can’t touch My inner mystery. When I try to show them, They say they still can’t see. I say, It’s in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style. I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.

Sonia Sotomayor: Supreme Court Justice, Author, Feminist! Item: Black Graduation Robe

Kristi Yamaguchi: American figure skater, Broadcaster, Philanthropist Item: Ice Skates

Helen Keller: Author, Political Activist, Lecturer Item: Red and white cane, dark sunglasses

Mo’ne Davis: American Little League Baseball Pitcher from Philadelphia, 14 years old now Item: Glove (Audrey) Baseball

Vera Wang: Fashion Designer, Costume Designer, Figure Skater Item: handbag/scarf

Alice Paul: Suffragist, feminist, right to vote and co-author Equal Rights Amendment Item: Suffrage sash, tri-colors (Roberta) VERSE 4 Now you understand Just why my head’s not bowed. I don’t shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing, It ought to make you proud. I say, It’s in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need for my care. ’Cause I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Supreme Court Justice, Feminist, Lawyer, Professor Item: Gavel

Ida Lupino: Film Actress, Singer, Breakthrough Film Director, Producer Item: Film clapboard

Amelia Earhart: Aviation pioneer and author, early supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment Item: Toy airplane

Sandra Day O’Connor: Retired Supreme Court Justice, First woman appointed to Supreme Court Item: Number 1 sign

Ellie Smeal: National Organization of Women Leader of the Equal Rights Amendment Movement in 70s Item: ERA Round and MS Magazine

Michelle Obama: Lawyer, First Lady, National Health and Fitness Program Founder, Mother Item: Barbells Skit Item List

Marena Groll Black graduation gown/robe – Sonia Sotomayor Parchment Declaration of Sentiments – Elizabeth Cady Stanton Oversized, ornate hat – Bella Abzug Sunglasses – Hillary Clinton Picture mounted on sign– Queen Aliquippa Vote Sash Purple – Ida B. Wells Poster Medal Freedom – Wilma Mankiller ERA Round – Ellie Smeal Picture mounted on sign– Hala Alsalman Barbell- Michelle Obama

Gailya Paliga Ice Skates – Kristi Yamaguchi Red tipped cane – Helen Keller Pair of handcuffs – Susan B. Anthony Handbag/scarf – Vera Wang Ain’t I A Woman Sign – Sojourner Truth Gavel – Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (and black robe and should have a nice lace collar) Toy Airplane – Amelia Earhart Number 1 Sign and 'Over 40 law firms refused to interview me because I was a woman' sign – Sandra Day O’Connor Ms. Magazine – additional item for Ellie

Roberta Waddle Suffrage sash tri-colors – Alice Paul Hoe – Dolores Huerta

Audrey Muck Glove – Mo’ne Davis Film clapboard – Ida Lupino

Shannah Sayers Book “Their Eyes Were Watching God”– Zora Neale Hurston

Wendy Michener Poster of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray – Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray