Current Event #5

Women’s History Month: 

Honoring women for their courage, character and commitment

This month of March, is a time to reflect on how women have made an impact on our history. We get to take a break from the half of the population that is men, and concentrate on the achievements that women have brought to the table.  It is Women's History Month and, as President Obama has stated,  is a significant occasion during the year to "recognize the victories, struggles, and stories of the women who have made our country what it is.” In Washington DC this week, twelve women will be recognized for their contributions on America's timeline, culture, and the overall nation. The 2014 theme that was presented by the National Women's History Project and focuses on "Celebrating Women of Character, Courage and Commitment." This will examine the changing cultural perceptions of women in society and honor their contributions to all aspects of life. These twelve extraordinary women who are acknowledged are: Chipeta, an Indian rights advocate and diplomat, Anna Julia Cooper, an African American educator and author, Agatha Tiegel Hanson, an educator, author, and advocate for the deaf community, Katharine Ryan Gibbs, a women’s employment pioneer, Frances Oldham Kelsey, a pharmacologist and public health activist, Roxcy O’Neal Bolton, a 20th century women’s rights pioneer, Arden Eversmeyer, the founder of the old lesbian oral history, Carmen Delgado Votaw, an international women’s rights activist, Ann Lewis, a women’s rights organizer and women’s history advocate, Jaida Im, an advocate for survivors of human trafficking, Tammy Duckworth, a member of congress and Iraq war veteran, and Lisa Taylor, a civil rights attorney. 

With this topic, I can connect with what we are learning in civics class at school. In this class, we discussed all the trials and tribulations it took to attain women's right to vote. We also learned that in 1920, Women's suffrage, the 19th Amendment, came into the picture when women started to campaign for their right to vote. The 50 years that was endorsed to make this all happen, did not discourage or incapacitate the leaders of the movement. They continued to fight for the right to vote, and eventually their efforts influenced the behavior of how women were looked upon, as well as, their role in society. Women were no longer limited in their professional choices, their choice to vote, and the college they wanted to attend. This event in history paves a way for women to not only have the right to vote, but also be seen as an equal in America. This depicts how women, when put to the test, have a gargantuan amount of industrial brawn in their backbones. The 19th Amendment sets as a reminder of the determination, perseverance,  and strength of character women possess. 

Dedicating a month exclusively for women, I think, is essential in order to inform the people of America on how women play a role in society. Without the assistance of women, men would not have the immense prosperity they need to succeed. This is mostly because women are contributory, in the matter of, providing for our families, communities, and, altogether, the triumph of our country. Having this month, stand as a reminder of all the sensational work that was done by powerful women, and can set as an example for women of this generation. For one, I look up to Tammy Duckworth. While on duty in Iraq, her helicopter met head-on in the line of fire. She received a tremendous injury, that cost both of her legs to become dismembered, additionally, her right arm being of no use. Having been close to death as she was at the time, she realized that she "just had to do more with my life." She ran for congress in 2012, and became the first disabled women elected in the U.S. House of Representatives. Not only that, she surfs, sky dives, and finishes multiple marathons with only her artificial legs. Nothing can hinder Duckworth from doing what she wants in life, and that is why I admire her.  Her quote exceedingly moved me; she stated that, "Young girls need to know that they can be successful and that when things get tough, [they] should not give up. By working hard and always being determined, [they] can make real and long-lasting change in the world." This statement, in fact, is quite accurate in my opinion. Having the rights and determination as a woman in American is important to persue what we want to do in the future and the changes we want to make in the world. Women in history have made it possible, with their tenacity they aided in delegating one another and, moreover, helped one another to uphold any such position they wish to undertake.

Short Answer Response: 
What is the purpose for using [statistics/quotations/headings/bullets/personal experience] (choose one of the options and write only on it.) If you have another element that you would like to discuss on this question, get the okay from me before proceeding. Use evidence from the selection to support your answer.

In the passage, the use of statistics such as information that there are “161 million women and girls in the country (51 percent of the population)” (Tousignant) and percentile of women who make up in an American society. These include, doctors, teachers, college students, members of congress, and women who are associated with the military. This is to show how women are much as involved in providing for America as any man is. It even states that women who work full time make “77 cents for every dollar that men earn.” (Tousignant). Not having an equal payment, proves that even today women are still not getting the credit they deserve. 

Citations

Tousignant, Marylou. "Women’s History Month: Honoring Women for Their Courage, Character and Commitment." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2014. Web. 16 Mar. 2014. <http://goo.gl/sl90Yt>.

Miller, Howard J. "We can do it." Photograph. Wikimedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2014. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:We_Can_Do_It!.jpg>.