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Womens Education

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Submitted By msmcgrady84
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In Adrienne Rich's commencement speech “What Does a Woman Need to Know” she challenges women to take control of their learning experiences both inside and outside of the classroom, so that they can gain the knowledge that they need to become empowering and more accepted in the society. Rich attempts to persuade the readers that women were being denied part of their education in the classroom. She felt that it was necessary for women to educate one's self through life experiences. Rich wants education in universities to not be biased and allow women the same opportunities and privileges as men have to be able to get an education. Rich believes that it if women are limited in their education and denied the understanding of their female roots and heritage that it will be difficult for them to gain awareness of themselves and the world around them. Literacy is a human right, a tool of personal empowerment, and a means for social and human development. Educational opportunities depend on literacy. According to the “United Nations, Department of International Economic and Social Affairs, Statistical Office, 1977 Compendium of Social Statistics (New York: United Nations, 1980) it reports that “in an age of increasing illiteracy, 60 percent of the world's illiterates are women. Between 1960 and 1970, the number of illiterate men in the world rose by 8 million, while the number of illiterate women rose by 40 million.”(76) Rich wanted to convey the message how statistics and numbers reflect her message that something needs to done for more women to become literate. As a matter of fact, literacy is a right that we all should have and is a key outcome of education. Ones life experiences could open you up and teach you more about the basics of education that you learn in the classrooms, but also broaden your horizons to what else is out there in the world. Rich

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