I’m sure your Twitter, Instagram and Facebook feeds are flooded with all different sorts of political posts. I’m sure most people are sick about hearing about the 2020 election and can’t wait until it’s done. I’m sure you’ve been told to register to vote a thousand times and probably haven’t done it yet. I’m sure you’re sick of all these things, but the 2020 election is more than just voting for a presidential candidate; it’s about having a voice, especially for women.
The 2020 election is not the only important election for America’s democracy, but it marks one hundred years since the first election women were allowed to vote in. The 19th amendment was finally ratified on August 18th, 1920, after a long battle fought by the women’s suffrage movement to help women obtain these rights.
One hundred years ago women weren’t allowed to have a say in our democracy, were looked down upon for voicing their opinions and they were most certainly not allowed to hold positions in office. The possibility of a woman holding office as Vice President could be in America’s near future. Kamala Harris is Joe Biden’s running mate in the presidential election, and if elected Kamala Harris will be the first woman Vice President in the history of the United States.
The fight for equality between men and women is still an ongoing battle. A woman makes $0.81 for every dollar a man makes. Women are still looked down upon by men just for the fact that we have different anatomies. From my own experience being in college, I can’t tell you how many times boys have given me weird looks when I tell them my major or how many times they have asked “Do you really think you can handle that?”. I’ve worked my butt off to get to where I am in life and having someone try to tell you different because of your gender is so infuriating.
I’m proud to have been surrounded by powerful women in my life who have always encouraged me to do what I love, take no bullying from other people and prove people wrong. Women weren’t allowed to vote until 1920 when the 19th amendment was finally ratified. 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of this amendment, yet there is still so much inequality between men and women that goes further than the fight for voting. I’m proud to be able to vote in the upcoming election no matter what party I may vote for because there was a time when a woman’s voice didn’t matter. If you’re a woman, despite your political party, be proud to cast your own vote and have your own voice. I hope one day I can teach my daughter how to be a strong woman just like the women in my life have taught me. I hope my daughter lives in an America where her success isn’t undermined because she’s not a man. I hope she lives in an America where there is a woman president in the foreseeable future. And no matter what woman candidate that may be, I’m happy to see the glass ceiling being shattered.