March
is supposed to be “Women's History Month.” Why would we need a
special month just to talk about women in history? Because the bulk
of history books have been written by and about men—kings and
generals, male explorers and pirates, male scientists and artists,
and so on. Women worked and explored and created all through history,
and women sometimes fought and discovered and ruled, too—but
history often mentions these women when they explain that, for
example, this woman scientist wasn't allowed into a university and
that woman artist wasn't allowed to show her work in the academies.
It's sad to say that the history of women often consists of tales of
discrimination. In a world where even democratic countries didn't
allow women to vote until the 1900s or even 2000s (and in Saudi
Arabia, women are STILL not allowed to vote)—in a world where even
now women generally make less money than do men who work the same
job—well, we need to take time to especially focus on women.
One
women who has helped to make a lot of positive changes for women is
Gloria Steinem. Born on this date in 1934, Steinem grew up to become
a journalist and an activist for women's rights. She famously became
a Playboy bunny in order to investigate and write about how women
were treated in Playboy Clubs. She helped found Ms. Magazine
and worked for the Equal Rights Amendment, and she has written about
many sensitive and controversial topics. She has worked tirelessly
for equal rights, reproductive rights, and even LGBT rights.
Here
are some quotes that share the wisdom of Steinem:
“A
woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle.”
“We've
begun to raise daughters more like sons... but few have the courage
to raise our sons more like our daughters.”
“We
need to remember across generations that there is as much to learn as
there is to teach.”
“Childbirth
is more admirable than conquest, more amazing than self-defense, and
as courageous as either one.”
Find many more quotes at BrainyQuotes.
Also
on this date:
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