Women have changed the world in countless ways, and March is the time to recognize that. Women’s History Month is a time to acknowledge women and their contributions to helping the world and society.
Throughout history, women have grown, conquered, and achieved so many great things, and have proved that they are worth more than what social norms and stereotypical beliefs dictate. Women from different races and nationalities have continued their fight for what’s right.
According to the History, Art, and Archives, the women’s suffrage movement began in the mid-nineteenth century. Women had to do almost everything through a man’s vision or permission. They had to live against misogynistic rules and regulations.
The first women’s rights convention was in Seneca Falls, New York, in July 1848. A young mother named Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Quaker abolitionist Lucretia Mott led the movement. They declared that the Declaration of Independence should state “all men and women are created equal.” There were about 300 people, most of whom were women, but this became the first movement toward equality.
“Women’s History Month means celebrating all of the progress that we have made for women’s rights, like women’s suffrage, and closing the pay gap, and for all of the achievements that women have made throughout history,“ junior Sahasra Kolluru said.
Although inequality has affected women globally, women of color have had to battle both racism and colorism. Yet, in certain countries, being a woman in itself was still seen as the primary issue.
Throughout history, some societies have held the belief that men are superior beings who deserve more than women. This mindset left women with fewer resources and fewer opportunities in life, while still pushing them into roles considered “feminine,” like taking care of children and performing other minimal tasks.
The women’s rights movement didn’t aim to make women superior to men, but rather to establish equality for both. Not one person deserves a better or more opportunistic chance at life than another.
“Women should be appreciated since they’ve been mistreated so much in the past. We really not fully conquered our mistreatment of them. I feel that having this month dedicated to them is a huge token of our appreciation towards everything they’ve done,” junior Janean Ruiz said.
Yet, despite this, women haven’t always had the same level of influence or recognition in history. The belief that “men are superior” limits not only women but society as a whole. Women make up half the world’s population.
More women’s voices are being heard, empowering young girls and pushing women around the world to achieve greater things than those before them.
Female participation in all aspects of life has grown, especially in the workforce and leadership roles, setting examples for future generations.
“I like being a woman. It kind of shows people that just because I’m this and I’m that, I can still be powerful and I can still be better in my own way,” junior Aniyas Williams said.
