Women’s history isn’t taught as a part of history in our
general education endeavors. There are the few women we have stumbled across
like, Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner Truth
and maybe a little of Joan of Ark. Although there is a plethora of history
propagated to women, we haven’t heard the whole story.
Women’s rights were always to be fought for regardless of
time. As stated on Wikipedia, in regards to Women’s History, “History was
written mainly by men and about men's activities in the public sphere—war,
politics, diplomacy and administration. Women are usually excluded and, when
mentioned, are usually portrayed in sex-stereotypical roles, such as wives,
mothers, daughters and mistresses.” In the Bible, the Old Testament, we have
the book of Ruth where Ruth is shown to be submissive and playing the role a
woman should. Her sister is seen as a rebel to the traditional role of a woman
and is shunned by the men.
There aren’t many advertisements honoring Women’s History in
the month of March. It’s as though women gracing the cover of magazines and
being the main characters, besides the product, in commercials is enough and
their isn’t a need for just a bit more for the month. We need better education
on the history of women and more motivation to create history for future women
to thrive better. The majority of people don’t know about the existence of
Women’s History Month. I know, as individuals, we have our own personal
problems to worry about but we are affected by social issues as a whole.
Action needs to be taken. We spend our downtime complaining
about the pitfalls of our day but don’t think of a solution. What will be your
solution when women are no longer able to be seen as equal counterparts? As a
woman, know your history. You must know the victories as to how you arrived
where you are today. Know the history of how women gained acknowledgement in
male-dominated workplaces. Know the history of the women that endured the worst
parts of the movement so the women we are today is the best woman we can be or
even better.
I’m still learning about everything that I possibly can,
especially on women. I know enough to know that I don’t know everything but I
have some type of knowledge. This is my brief opinion on Women’s History Month
and my continued call to women to uplift each other and become a collective.
Knowing your history will give one the ability to forge a greater future. “I have come to believe over and over
again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared,
even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood.” –Audre Lorde
