As an American woman of 25, I have inherited many privileges because my foremothers fought for the rights of women. I can vote, be ordained in the ELCA and even write about issues of inequality because women before me forged bonds of sisterhood and changed the world.
And the fight continues. Racism, poverty, and hunger erode equality. Single mothers and their children are especially vulnerable. Our sisters in many countries do not enjoy the rights we have in the United States. As we celebrate what our foremothers have accomplished, we can use the rights they won for us to follow their example, widening the circle of equality to include all women, everywhere, without exception.
We can say “Happy Women’s Equality Day” on August 26th and keep up the good fight.
This message is adapted from “The good fight” written by Quinn E. Gorges in the August 2006 issue of Café magazine.