After centuries-old discrimination, we finally approach the last days of a well overdue celebration.
March, the dawn of spring, has long been designated as the month for us to acknowledge our appreciation for women.
Abigail Adams, wife of late President John Adams and mother to late President John Q. Adams, stood up for women’s rights during a time when women were considered inferior to our male counterparts.
The creation of the Declaration of Independence promoted equality for all Americans, but did not seem to apply to women.
On March 31, 1776 she suggested that all women be included in the newly written laws.
Two hundred years later her courageous efforts paid off. People began to celebrate and acknowledge women’s significance in history during the second week of March.
It wasn’t until 1920, which was almost 130 years after our first president served in office when women were allowed to vote.
It is no secret that women endured unequal treatment, but many strong women have paved the way so that other women have options like attending a university, without any if, ands or buts.
We have so many women like Susan B. Anthony, Rosa Parks, Oprah Winfrey and Hillary Clinton to thank for our progression as a society.
Today women have more power than ever before.
They’re no longer just our mothers. They’re our teachers, doctors, lawyers and most importantly people who set standards for all of us to follow. Young girls can look up to women who are successful and aspire to be like them.
We’re granted the same opportunities but it seems as if some of the negative characteristics of women still linger.
R&B singer Ciara recently released a video that is an example of why some stereotypes about women persist. At first glance it looks like soft porn. I’m not bashing her as an artist, but there is a difference between tasteful and raunchy. I love her music and know many teenagers who adore her because of her energetic dance moves, but this is definitely not a persona she should promote.
What will these teenage girls think? That it’s okay to be displayed as a prop in your own video?
Men and women have fought to get us to where we are today. We have equal opportunities now to make something of ourselves. Using our bodies to get ahead is so played out.