What does women’s journey toward true equality look like? Now more than ever, we should take a stroll back memory lane. We must not forget the long path our foremothers have paved for us.
Our rights were hard-won through decades of struggle and perseverance. We fought for the right to vote, to hold a bank account, to decide on our healthcare, and to define our career paths. And with the 2024 presidential election, we’re still fighting.
1769 – 1830s: Legal Absorption by Marriage
- In early America, women essentially vanish into their husband’s legal identity upon marriage. This era sees women being unable to own property, sign contracts, or retain earnings. Education for women is rare and often frowned upon, leaving many women dependent on male relatives for survival.
1840s – 1890s: Silent Voices in Political Spaces
- As domestic figures, women are expected to focus on home and family. Despite paying taxes, women are denied a voice in political arenas, being deemed too emotional and irrational for the vote. The idea of women speaking publicly or pursuing careers is widely discouraged, with many barred from institutions of higher learning.
1900s – 1930s: Economic Dependence
- Most professions exclude women. Even in jobs they could secure, women are paid a fraction of men’s wages. Husbands often control family finances, forbidding wives from having their own bank accounts. Societal expectation deems a woman’s primary duty to be a homemaker, regardless of personal aspirations.
1940s – 1960s: Constrained by Tradition
- Post-WWII, women are nudged back into domestic roles after taking on male-dominated jobs during the war. Advertisements push the ideal woman as a perfect housewife. Women can’t apply for mortgages without a male co-signer. The medical field allows husbands to make health decisions on their wives’ behalf without their consent.
1970s – 1980s: Barriers to Financial and Social Freedoms
- Despite increased workplace participation, women often need their husband’s approval for credit cards. Sexual harassment in workplaces is pervasive and largely unaddressed by the law. Many women endure significant economic disadvantage in divorce settlements due to systemic bias.
1990s – 2000s: Lingering Economic Inequities
- Work-life balance remains a fantasy for many, as women bear the brunt of domestic responsibilities despite professional demands. Women can’t escape the glass ceiling, faced with systemic biases that question their leadership abilities. Maternity leave, where available, is often unpaid, discouraging women from taking time needed for family care.
2010s – Current: Persistent Gender Pay Gap and Reproductive Rights Challenges
- Women still face a notable pay gap and are underrepresented in leadership roles across industries. Media often scrutinizes women’s appearances rather than their ideas, reinforcing outdated stereotypes.
- In 2022, the landmark decision to overturn Roe v. Wade significantly impacts women’s autonomy over their bodies. It reverses decades of reproductive rights. This change reignites the battle for bodily agency. This decision underscores the ongoing struggle for equal rights and further empowers the call for active participation in shaping a future that respects women’s choices and freedoms.
This election season let’s remember that our voices matter—individually and collectively. They shape a world where our daughters and granddaughters will continue to rise. VOTE.
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