March 8th is International Women’s Day, and all over the world people can come together and enjoy the achievements that women have made socially, politically, economically, and culturally over time. As a young woman in 2018, I have not faced many struggles as others who share my gender. I have the right to vote, I can wear clothes that make me feel confident and happy, and I can go to a university to pursue a career of my choice and liking. Yet, this was not always the standard, and I think it is important to take time this week and reflect some of the greatest achievements women have made. Here are some achievements that strike a chord with me, and I am very happy to share.
1. 19th Amendment
When we think of women’s achievements, one of the first to come to mind is women’s suffrage in America. Many women contributed to this time and made huge steps to a better equality between genders in America. Now, any female American citizen with proper identification can register to vote and cast a vote that they feel is aligned with their views. A hundred years ago, that was simply not a reality.
2. Flappers
In the time of the Roaring Twenties, many women started coming of age when the Sexual Revolution was occurring. Many of the women wore dresses that bared their arms and their legs to the knee and wore jewelry and sported a short haircut. This was revolutionary, because women were feeling a new sense of freedom to wear clothes that made them happy. Not only did they dress differently, but flappers stretched the standards of women going out on the town, dancing, and the experience of nightlife. Without this change, fashion and style may not have evolved into what it is today. Women can choose to express themselves freely and feel comfortable in any attire of their liking. We can appreciate them the next time we have a girl’s night!
3. Development of Cosmetics and Beauty
In the early 1900’s, makeup was not popular to the masses. Today, almost every enjoys putting on a swipe of lipstick or mascara. L’Oreal Paris is one of the most popular drugstore makeup brands today, and it was created in 1907. Maybelline is a subsidiary to L’Oreal Paris, and it was one of the first major brands of cosmetics in America!
4. Equal Pay Act
In 1963, this act was passed by Congress to give equitable pay for the same work regardless of race, color, sex, national origin of the worker. This system is controversial, and today we still have the debate and struggle of being paid equally. It is not for me to say, but it is still undoubtedly important to note that we made these strides.
5. Supreme Court
Sandra Day O’Connor becomes the first women to serve on the Supreme Court in 1981. This is so important to show the change in just 50 years, from women not being able to cast a vote to a woman being a part of one of the highest rankings in the judicial branch of our government.
Women have so much to celebrate and love. We bring life into the world, and each one of us has something to contribute in our lives and others. In 2018, reflect on what your goals are. Surround yourself with like-minded, driven women; friends from class, sorority sisters, or family. Think about these women and their passions and struggles and think that you too can do what you love. From being a politician, a mother, a student, a teacher, a CEO, a news reporter, doctor, or anything; we can pursue just that. Anything.
Sources:
Lo, C. (2008, March 01). Decade by Decade: Major Events in Women’s History. Retrieved March 02, 2018, from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/decade-by-decade-25263355/
Shaw, A. (2017, January 20). The history of the women’s rights movement in the US. Retrieved March 1, 2018, from https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/01/21/timeline-the-womens-rights-movement-in-the-us/21659519/
About International Women’s Day. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2018, from https://www.internationalwomensday.com/About
L’Oreal Paris
Jessica Cruel – https://www.popsugar.com/beauty/photo-gallery/34449499/image/34449511/L%…