Thanks to Those Who Paved the Way

As far back as I can remember I've had a strong opinion about various women's rights issues. I don't want to be told how to live my life or how I should act, I am my own person and deserve to make my own decisions. The following are a few of the social movements that have personally shaped my life.

Back in 1848, a convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York and after two days a Declaration of Sentiments was signed. This was an outline for the women's rights movement in which 12 resolutions were adopted that demanded equal treatment of women and men under the law and voting rights for women.

After years of hard work on lobbying, on August 26, 1920 the *19th amendment* was signed into the Constitution which granted women the right to vote. This amendment is very special to me because I can't imagine living in a society that kept me from voicing my opinion and giving me the opportunity to take part in making decisions that will directly affect me. Although I was a few months short of being able to vote in the last Presidential election, as soon as I turned 18 I registered to vote. When I went to the polls to vote for a state proposition, I entered the booth and thought of all the women who fought for me to be able to vote. While I believe everyone should take part in the voting process, the fact that we had to fight for this right I believe women should most definitely go out and vote whenever they are given the opportunity.

Making it illegal for employers to pay women less than what a man would receive for doing the same job, the Equal Pay Act (passed on June 10, 1963) is another important social movement for women. Can you imagine how frustrating it must have been for women to know that they were being paid less than a man just because of their gender?! As a result of this act I am fortunate enough not to have to be concerned with whether I am making the same as a man for doing the exact same job.

Back in elementary and middle school I was a HUGE tom boy (in some ways I still am) and, then and now, I LOVE to play sports. Not thinking about the fact that at one time women were not allowed to play sports or take part in various other school activities, I enjoyed being involved in after school sports like softball and basketball. Little did I know that it wasn’t until June 23, 1972 when Title IX of the Education Amendments banned sex discrimination in schools. It states: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."

Although I am currently not pregnant, The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 has been important for mothers, like my mom, who are or want to become pregnant but continue to work at the same time. This act bans employers from firing or denying a woman a job promotion because she is pregnant or may become pregnant. Also she can’t be forced to take a pregnancy leave if she is willing and able to work. If this act was not in place, my mom might have had to quit her job while she was pregnant with me and my parents would not have been able to save up enough money for me before I was born.

All the above information was found at http://www.infoplease.com/spot/womenstimeline1.html

*a little video for ya