August 26, 2020, marked a very important date in history. For those who don't know, it marked 100 years of Women Equality.
The Women's Rights Movement started in the year 1848 and lasted until 1920. That's 72 years of women fighting for their freedom and rights. On the 18th of August in the year 1920, the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote. Then 8 days later, August 26th, the 19th Amendment was added to the Constitution and declared women as equals.
Women have a long history of being the underdog, but within a century we've been able to rearrange the stars and constellations. Back in the 1800s, the term "she boss" was not a thing.
I wonder how many young women don't understand or realize the importance or significance of this anniversary? It is so easy to grow up in a time and country where women have power. As I have said before: Freedom is Power!
The female race was always seen as uneducated. We were born to marry and bear children, run a household, cook, clean, and be obedient to our husband and society. We had no voice, no right to protest against anything, no other role in life other than that of a housewife.
Did you know that there was a time in history when women were not allowed the opportunity to learn how to read or write? They were denied an education. Picking up a book could have been seen as an offense. It was said that women had no business looking through books. The system was different in every country, class, and era. But the big picture was all the same. Women were subjugated throughout history all around the world.
These sexist restrictions also applied to women entering the workforce. It was the man of the house that would make the money and woman would stay home tending to the house and children. Women completely depended on their men.
Even when women did start joining the workforce, they weren't allowed to keep their wages, open a bank account, apply for a loan, or own a credit card (amongst many other restrictions); at least not until decades after the 19th Amendment was passed. The 19th amendment didn't fix every sexist issue right away, but it was the start of what would eventually become a society of powerful women.
There are some exceptions or rather some historical women who lived their lives as an exception to the rules. Some historical women didn't care about the rules created by society. They were too busy living by their own rules. For instance: Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, Alienor d'Aquitaine, Jane Austen. These were one of the first women to show the world and history that women are just as powerful as men.
Still today, it is known that some men are intimidated by successful women. If only our women of the past can see what they helped revolutionize. At least in the United States. Many other countries are still very sexist in their ways and traditions such as China, the Middle East, some parts of Africa, and some Latin American cultures.
Ladies, be so very thankful for your freedom. It is priceless.
Some of the information and the 3 historical photos (*) I gathered for this post were found in the following links. I highly recommend you give them a read to further educate yourself. Also, speak to your parents and elders. Undoubtedly, they have some stories they can also share.
Sending many thanks to the women before me for my feminine freedom.
And thank you for the read!
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XoXo,
Mrs. Ladybug
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