from maria w.stewarts speech, sit here and die," Overall, what is Stewart’s main argument? Find a specific quote or phrase that supports her argument.
Maria W. Stewart's main argument in her speech "Sit Here and Die" is that African American women need to rise above their positions of servitude and oppression and take control of their own lives and destinies. She argues that they have the potential to become leaders and educators within their communities, and that they should not passively accept the limitations placed upon them by society.
A specific quote that supports Stewart's argument is: "I maintain that the female society is fledging into an independence; that by their moral influence and domestic economy, they can be more extensively useful than they have been" (Stewart). This quote demonstrates Stewart's belief that African American women have the power to be productive and influential members of society if they are allowed to develop their talents and abilities.