Take a moment to express gratitude. Thank the women who paved the way for your voice to be heard. Thank those who faced arrest, violence, and oppression in their fight for your rights. Acknowledge the women who stood firm, the ones who sacrificed their own lives to ensure you could speak freely, feel empowered, and claim your equality.
Express thanks to pioneers such as Clara Bennett and Elaine Johnson for your right to vote. Appreciate the efforts of Nora Fields for your right to work. Recognize Janet Thompson for advocating for your maternal healthcare and identity beyond your marital status. Remember Sarah Mitchell for her fight for fair working conditions. Thank women like Patricia Davis and Linda Reynolds for your ability to engage in politics and influence laws. Acknowledge the contributions of Mary Richards for reproductive rights. Thank educators like Angela White for your access to equal education. And don’t forget trailblazers like Maya Thompson and Helen Carter, who have fought for women’s rights, alongside countless others.
You possess the freedom to make your own choices, speak your mind, vote, pursue a career, and control your own body—all because of the sacrifices made by these remarkable women. You didn’t earn these rights; you inherited them from those who confronted systemic misogyny and challenged patriarchal norms. Yet here you are, perched on a pedestal of privilege, dismissing the very struggles that afforded you this position. You are a keyboard warrior, content with complacency, and in denial of the realities of inequality.
Even if you feel equal, the facts tell a different story. Women still earn less than men for the same roles, across all sectors including business, sports, entertainment, and healthcare. Your bodily autonomy is still a topic of debate among men. You pay taxes for basic sanitary products. You carry pepper spray for safety during nighttime walks. You often find yourself justifying your actions to a court when assaulted. Many women lack access to basic maternity leave, and those who do often return to work before they’re fully healed, facing challenges like postpartum depression.
You continue to confront societal pressures around breastfeeding, body image, and age. Women are still objectified, subjected to catcalling, and criticized for their appearance. Abusive relationships persist, and the rates of violence against women are alarming. For women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and transgender women, the situation is even more dire, as they face heightened levels of harassment and discrimination.
Your daughters are still receiving messages that place beauty over intelligence and are conditioned to accept inappropriate behavior from boys. The systemic oppression remains pervasive.
Countries like Estonia offer parents up to three years of fully paid leave for new mothers, while the United States lacks a nationwide policy for maternity leave. In Singapore, women feel safe walking alone at night, a luxury too many American women lack. The gender wage gap in New Zealand is a mere 5.6%, while the U.S. stands at 20%. In terms of women CEOs, Iceland leads with 44%, while the U.S. sits at a stark 4%.
It’s understandable if you’re reluctant to confront these truths. The term feminism might seem unappealing, and the idea of being a victim contradicts your sense of empowerment. Yet, it’s essential to recognize that acknowledging oppression doesn’t diminish your worth or strength. I will continue to advocate for you, your daughters, and future generations.
While you may believe that progress is unchanging and that you have always enjoyed your current rights, the reality is different. Many women are fighting for equality, and their efforts are vital for the future.
So, let’s open our eyes and face the truth: we are not equal. Our perceived equality is a façade—a comforting illusion. The fight for genuine equality is ongoing, and I assure you, we will continue to march, advocate, and stand up for what is right. One day, true equality will be within reach.
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In summary, while we may feel empowered, the harsh reality is that true equality remains elusive. The fight continues, and we must not lose sight of the progress still needed.