I Have Not Forgotten Women’s History Month
Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart
One of the biggest changes in our nation’s history between the year of my birth, 1946, and today concerns the women of our country. Progress was made until 2022 when a corrupted Supreme Court reversed a decision made by a legitimate Court 49 years in the past removing a woman’s right to make decisions related to her personal physical and mental health. June 24, 2022 was one of the darkest days in America’s history.
Many changes have been made in my 77+ years, but not nearly enough.
Women are no Longer Asking for Equality, They’re Taking It
Equality in America remains virtually unchanged in 2024. Women, minorities, members of the LGBTQ Community, and both legal and illegal immigrants continue to be treated differently than white men. However, women continue to make changes in our society.
Over the last 20 years women have taken a greater interest in our government and its political system. More women are registered to vote than men. A growing number of women are seeking political office. More women are enrolled in our colleges and universities than men. Many women are deciding to delay having children and focusing on careers. Women were the first demographic to protest Trump’s illegitimate presidency after the rigged 2016 election.
Greater Change is Needed
However, on average women continue to make about 78 cents for every dollar made by men. Several occupations remain dominated by men, although women are equally qualified. Remember, at the end of WWII, women who had replaced men in the workplace while they were fighting for our freedom, were cast aside and unrecognized for their hard work when needed. My mother worked for Boeing in Seattle. She was one of thousands of women who became known as “Rosie the riveter.” In 1945, she lost her job.
The “Equal Rights Amendment”
In the 1970’s the Equal Rights Amendment passed through the legislative process in Washington. Next was ratification by a minimum of 2/3 of the states. 38 states were required to make it law. In 1977 support began to wane, and the bill eventually died.
Personally, I rejected one clause which stated that “these rights will be determined by Congress.” During those years, very few women were serving in Washington.
In 2024, 47 years later, women continue to fight for complete equality.
Personal Experience
Throughout my 77 years, I have found women to be stronger than men, both physically and mentally. Although they do not possess the brute strength of men, they are forced to endure more pain, and require more endurance in all situations than men. Mentally, they are far superior, frequently forced to play the roles of both mother and father as single parents. Their “plate” is overflowing with worry and the normal day to day necessities.
Later in my life I became a single parent, and although these were some of the best years of my life, I better understood my mother’s sacrifices.
If I discussed the contributions made by women during the Civil War, and WWI and WWII, this would become a book. Until recently many of their sacrifices were forgotten or simply ignored. It is a great crime that the courage of men in times of war continue to be celebrated and those of women intentionally forgotten by most historians.
I celebrate this month and am proud to be a “feminist.”
Op-ed by James Turnage
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