Did you know that March is Women’s History month? More often than not many don’t actually know that women’s history is celebrated, let alone has a whole month devoted to it. Women have come a long way in the U.S. from gaining the right to vote, to eventually gaining equal rights to that of our male counterpart. Our generation has completely abolished the “stay at home mom” stereotype with many women having the freedom to choose a career and being able to achieve high levels of success in the workplace. Many women today hold CEO positions in many successful companies such as Yahoo Inc, Lockheed Martin Corp, Campbell Soup Co, and Hewlett-Packard Corp, just to name a few. Just 50 years ago many women were making strides toward enetering into the male-dominated job market, and today they are running some of the most successful companies to date. Whether you knew it or not, this month we should all recognize women’s history month.
Today we have quite a few noteworthy women to look to as inspiration, all who continue to blaze the trail in women’s rights. Just recently Emma Watson was appointed as the UN’s Women Goodwill Ambassador. She then gave a strong-hearted speech to the UN about launching the UN women’s campaign HeForShe. In Emma’s emotional speech she calls on men to advocate for gender equality across the globe. In the U.S. we relish in the strides we have made in gender equality, something many other nations can sadly not celebrate. Emma calls on men across the globe to join in on the fight. While having women’s voices for equality across the globe is not enough, the HeForShe campaign urges men to join the fight for equality. In her speech she said that the campaign is for equal rights to men and women, the common connotation of “man hating” in feminism has to stop. By joining both male and female voices on the global fight for gender equality, HeForShe believes that equality can and will be reached.
Why do we love Emma so much? She is the image for girl power! While she has this new position in the UN she has traveled to countries such as Uruguay, making speeches and urging for movement in gender equality, women’s political participation, and activism in their communities. Emma even speaks about gender equality to the “big wigs.” From the UN to World Economic Forum, Emma is raising her voice about how feminism is the equal rights of men and women and in need of men’s support. Emma is an inspiration to young women today. Being only 24 and saying what needs to be heard across the globe is no simple task.
Emma joins the countless women today and in our history that spoke out and stayed true to what they believed in. Because of these monumental women, I can freely study finance and join countless other women here at Drexel University pursuing the career they want regardless of gender stereotypes. This month take some time to celebrate women’s history! Read up on empowering women, watch Emma’s speech to the UN, and use their inspiration to pursue whatever you dream of for your future.