Historically, we know that women were not supposed to have an opinion, a good idea, or anything but a good dinner on the table. There was little a woman was allowed to do besides all of the housework, cooking, baking. When abolitionists and suffragettes began to stand up at a podium to speak in support of ending slavery and allowing women to vote, they were heckled and had rotten vegetables and rotten eggs thrown at them.

Now women are speakers, writers, CEO’s, athletes and not the weaker or second sex. Are we equal? NO! I am a news junkie and America is suffering from an increase in racism and misogyny.  Black men are being targeted. Even a white woman like I am can see that. But women are targeted, too. Republicans have made sure that women do not earn equal pay for equal work. We are the only citizens who are not legally equal. Why? Men are threatened by women, especially women who are assertive. I will never forget Rush Limbaugh stating on his radio show that feminists were really Feminazis. Really? Why was he so intimidated by an educated, strong woman who knows what she wants and will go for it? Have you ever had a man tell you a dream you have is not worth following? If so, he was trying to keep you down. After all, you are the second sex. Never believe anyone, even a woman, who tells you this.

“The hardest times for me were not when people challenged what I said, but when I felt my voice was not heard.”  —Carol Gillian, feminist writer and ethnicist

 

“It is the right and duty of every woman to employ the power of organization and agitation in order to gain those advantages which are given to the one sex and unjustly withheld from the other.”    —Catharine Beecher, American educator

 

“Said I, in scorn all burning hot, in rage and anger high, ‘You ignominious idiot, Those wings are made to fly?”    —Charlotte Perkins Gilman, American sociologist, novelist

 

” Women lose their lives not knowing they can do something different…I claimed myself and remade my life. Only when I knew I belonged to myself completely did I become capable of giving myself to another, of finding joy in desire, pleasure in our love, power in this body no one else owns.”   —Dorothy Allison, American writer

 

“The only way to make sure people you agree with can speak is to support the rights of people you don’t agree with.”   —Eleanor Holmes Norton, American politician

 

” I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”   —Evelyn Beatrice Hall, British Author

 

“I attribute my success to this—I never gave or took any excuse.”   —Florence Nightingale, English nurse and writer

 

” You get whatever accomplishment you are willing to declare.”   —Georgia O’Keeffe, American artist

 

 

Republicans do have a war against women.

Marley devoted his life to equality.