National Speech and Debate Education Day

Today, 3.6.26, is National Speech and Debate Education Day. Yes, it was news to me too.

The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA), formerly known as the National Forensic League, was founded in 1925 by Bruno E. Jacob at Ripon College in Wisconsin. It was created to motivate high school students to participate in speech and debate activities, with the first chapters chartered in 1926.

Earlier this week I saw a news piece about the upcoming Education Day, the same day we received an order for several of the Zora Neale Hurston Quote Panel - see below - and something clicked.

While these fearless, creative and striving Women's speech may have only rarely, if ever - been heard at high schools or colleges, they spoke their truths where and whenever necessary, wherever they could, sometimes in whispers to avoid persecution or simply the dismissal of their valuable ideas.

When Debra created these first 12 Quote Panels in July of last year their meaning did not sink in, not until this week. That news story connected how important public speech throughout our history - and the freedom of speech even when expressed at great risk or ridicule - is one of our greatest strengths - often spoken by great and heroic Women.

The United States Senate first designated a National Speech and Debate Education Day on March 15, 2016. Resolution S.Res.398 was sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley and Chris Coons, the 2016 resolution (S.Res.398) recognized the educational value of speech and debate activities in developing student communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills. 

While initially held on varying days, the designation has often focused on the first Friday of March. Following the initial 2016 resolution, the Senate has consistently passed resolutions to designate a day in early March for this purpose annually.

We hope you enjoy refreshing your memories of these great Women, or marveling for the first time at their contributions.

Best regards.