10 Monologues from Female Characters Who Care About Politics
Written by Meghan Mitchell
April 14, 2017
Looking for a monologue that features strong women, looking to have their political voice heard? These monologues feature characters standing up to the ‘man,’ standing up for what is right, and sparking change in the politics that rule their society. Whether fighting women’s standards, fighting the feminist fight, or looking back on past generations, these women have one goal in mind—to change the future for those to come.
A monologue from Raggedy And by David Valdes Greenwood
(Female, Dramatic, 30s-40s)
Ondi initially rescinded the offer to speak at the inauguration of the new president. She did not want to be known as the first transgender poet to speak; she wanted to be just a poet (she would settle for lesbian). After much debate, Ondi decides that she should stand up for who she is in this brave new world of acceptance, and after she has officially declined, Ondi, her son Ben, and wife Clem put their resources together to make her speech happen. In this monologue, we hear Ondi’s poem she has written for the inauguration, promoting acceptance for all.
A monologue from The 70s Got Moved Into the Garage by Alexis Clements
(Female, Dramatic, Late teens-40s)
This very short play was inspired by a conversation with a talented actress in New York City who spoke about her parents’ political beliefs and how they changed once they moved into a home and had children. Building on that conversation, author Alexis Clements imagines a young child who revisits her parent’s politics in a surprising and intimate way; she was shaped by them even as her parents put their beliefs to the side.
A monologue from An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde
(Female, Serio-Comedic/Dramatic, 30s-40s)
An Ideal Husband is a comedic play that revolves around blackmail and political corruption. The play, taking place over the period of twenty-four hours, opens during a dinner party where Sir and Lady Chiltern are the hosts. Mrs. Chevley is attending the Chiltern’s dinner party. She is a scheming woman who is trying to blackmail Lord Chiltern so that she can reap the benefits of a political deal. She begins with small talk but then delves into business. However, Lord Chiltern says it is impossible for him to do what she asks.
A monologue from Shades of Blue by Olivia Briggs
(Female, Dramatic, 20s-40s)
Premiered as part of “Bottles on the Water, a Night of Short Plays from Abroad” at the Arthur Seleen Theatre in New York City in 2013, “Shades of Blue” is a ten-minute, dramatic short play about a fierce democratic campaign manager who meets her match in a woman half her age and just her speed. Pushed to her limit by Susan’s statement that young women don’t vote because they don’t care to understand the social and political issues facing the country, Emily finally lets her have it.
A monologue from Loyal Women by Gary Mitchell
(Female, Dramatic, 30s-40s)
Brenda has been coerced into the dealings with the women of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA). Jenny, Brenda’s daughter, is impressed by the women members of the UDA who visit Brenda and wants to join them, but Brenda regards them as thugs and wants Jenny to have nothing to do with them. Here Brenda attempts to explain to Jenny the truth about what happened; the truth about her father’s innocence and about the dangers of getting involved with the UDA and their rough kind of justice.
A monologue from Precious Little Talent by Ella Hickson
(Female, Dramatic, 20s)
Joey is a British girl who finds herself in debt and ready to start over. After moving to America, she falls in love with an idealistic young American, Sam, who is also her father’s care-giver. Joey’s father, George, is suffering from Lewy body dementia. Both men try to keep her unaware of George’s condition, but it becomes obvious during a game of Trivial Pursuit when George cannot remember the answer to a simple question. Joey worries her father will forget her altogether. In this monologue, she speaks directly to the audience in preparation for a march on Washington, D.C.
A monologue from Lysistrata by Aristophanes
(Female, Dramatic/Serio-Comedic, Late teens-50s)
A woman encourages her fellow females to keep their lovers from sexual privileges until they agree to establish peace to end the Peloponnesian War. In this monologue, the opposing sides, the Spartans and the Greeks, have come to Greece to discuss peace talks to hopefully end the war. Lysistrata orchestrates the meeting and gives each side their opportunity to represent their case.
A monologue from What Glorious Times They Had by Diane Grant
(Female, Dramatic, Late teens-50s)
Nellie McClung delivers this monologue about how women have been disserviced by the concept of chivalry and how this concept has contributed to subversive sexism through the ages. An intelligent woman, Nellie uses strong, educated, and precise language to explain her views on chivalry. This monologue takes place in pre-World War I, Manitoba, Canada before women had the right to vote in this province. Only in 1916 were women granted the right to vote.
A monologue from The Ecclesiazuæ by Aristophanes
(Female, Serio-Comedic/Dramatic, Late teens-20s)
Women disguised as men try to win influence of the Athenian government. However, when they take over, their utopian society has a few kinks. This monologue takes place in Athens, where the leader of these women speaks to the men in the legislature to explain why power should be given to the ladies.
Closing Arguments Open Doors by Cullen Douglas
(Female, Serio-Comedic/Dramatic, 30s-40s)
In a courtroom, public defense lawyer Samantha “Sam” Burgess is defending her client Edward who is charged with the murder of his wife. While at first, she presents the compelling case that Edward killed his “abusive” wife out of self-defense, she quickly backs out of that narrative to relay to the judge her disgust for Edward, her career and her life as a 37-year-old single woman who lives with her mother.
Looking for other monologue collections? Check out the ones below!
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- 10 Monologues from Characters Who Are People of Color
- 10 Monologues from Latino, Latina, and Hispanic Characters
- 10 Monologue from Characters Coping With Mental Illness
- 10 Comedic Monologues from Characters Suffering an Identity Crisis
- 10 Monologues from Characters Seeking Approval
- 10 Monologues from Characters Who Need to Apologize
- 10 Monologues from Male Characters: Fathers, Brothers, and Sons
- 10 Monologues for Women Who Speak Their Mind
- 10 Greek and Roman Monologues for Men
- 10 Monologues for People Who Have a Bone to Pick
- 10 Great Monologues from LGBTQ-Identifying Characters
- 10 Monologues for Characters Who Have Theatre on the Brain
- 10 Male Monologues from Characters Dealing With Death
- 10 Great Shakespearean Monologues for Women
- 10 Great Shakespearean Monologues for Men