As a young teen, I read Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan. I watched women fighting for equality and the right to govern their own lives. I grew up believing I had the freedom to be whatever I wanted to be – a belief my grandmothers and mother did not have.
The feminist movement of the late 1960’s- early ‘70’s led to the protection of equal rights for women. Feminists fought for fair wages (equal pay for equal work is still elusive), job and educational opportunities, equal rights under the law and of course autonomy over our own bodies.
And we have continued to fight for the right to be treated as equals to men in all ways. Electing women to leadership positions. Fighting how sexual assault victims are treated – and holding the perpetrators accountable. Entering all jobs and professions. Breaking the glass ceiling in business.
Today, it feels like we are dangerously close to losing the rights so many women fought so hard to guarantee.
Today, we have a convicted rapist offering to protect American women. And nominating men to top leadership positions who have credible accusations of sexual assault against them.
Today, we have a president-elect who supports Project 2025, which says women should stay home and have children. He and his VP seem to think the only women of value are those who can and do have children.
Today, we are losing our rights to our own bodies. It is now dangerous to be pregnant in the US, as more women are denied the care they need even if their lives are at risk. And Project 2025 wants the government to track our pregnancies, a concept Vance has supported. (Let’s not even mention an ill-fated proposal to track our menstrual cycles.)
Today, many in the Republican party want to limit birth control and even reproductive education.
Today, we have a vice president-elect who says women should stay in abusive marriages for the sake of the children.
Today, we are told we should vote the same way as our husbands. (It was 1920 before women could vote at all … let’s not forget that.)
Today, school-age boys are telling their female classmates, “Your body, MY choice.” And the incel community (men who identify as involuntarily celibate), promotes sexual violence against women, thinking it is their right to take whatever they want from a woman.
Today, there’s a concerted effort to “put women in their place.” I see that as a declaration of war against women and we can’t sit idly by and see the rightful gains we have made over the past 60 years get eroded by politicians who have decided we need to shut up, stay home and have babies. We owe it to our sisters, daughters, and granddaughters.
Let me know how you think we can protect women’s rights at Ccnana0920@gmail.com
Guest Insights by CC