Women's work: we still have much to learn from women

By: Marrah Alverson

Staff writer

Women are key to a thriving environment. They are the root of life. Grandmothers, mothers, aunts, daughters, sisters. Motherhood and sisterhood all wrapped into one. March is the month of celebrating women today and the ones who laid the framework for us to succeed, be treated equally, and be recognized in society.

From the First-wave Feminism to the MeToo Movement, women have always been fighting for our rights and empowering other young girls around the nation to walk in their footsteps. Women have always been central to the development of society. Whether as pioneers in science like Marie Maynard Daly, activists fighting for civil rights like Rosa Parks, or leaders in their own communities like Kamala Harris, women have played pivotal roles that are often overlooked and underappreciated. Sojourner Truth and Gloria Steinem are just two examples of these incredibly influential and triumphant women that I personally would love to highlight. 

Truth was an American abolitionist and activist for women and African American rights who was born into slavery. She is most well known for her “Ain’t I a Woman” speech given at the 1851 Women's Rights Convention in Ohio where she powerfully expressed, “And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?” The passion within a woman is like nothing else. It derives from deep within their souls, something so raw and unfeigned you can almost touch the invisible string of all of those before you. 

Gloria Steinem is an American journalist and social-political activist who is a nationally recognized leader of second-wave feminism in the United States in the 60s and 70s. Specifically, in 1972, Steinem co-founded Ms. Magazine, a feminist magazine that offered a platform for women's voices and experiences. This revolutionized how the media discussed and portrayed women's issues. It was the first magazine in the US to be owned, run, and written by women. 

In an article from August 26, 1971, she provided a statement that stood out to me: “The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn.” It is important for us to let go of the outdated and ingrained beliefs and assumptions that were forced upon us from a very early age. It’s understood that unlearning can be more difficult than learning something new, especially when it involves the questioning of long-held biases and societal norms. The idea is that in order to grow and improve, we must first remove the mental constraints that limit our understanding.

Women’s History Month serves as a reminder of the importance of these contributions and more. While many women's achievements have historically been overlooked, this month helps to highlight their role in shaping the world we live in today. It is time to celebrate women from all walks of life–those who made major strides in politics, science, arts, business, education, and countless other areas. It is also a time to honor those whose names may never reach the media but whose impact has been felt in the communities they touched. 

Women's history Month creates an environment where young girls and even boys can dream big, knowing they too can leave their mark on the world. It also gives society a chance to reflect on how far we have come in terms of women's rights and what work remains to ensure gender equality for all. Women's history isn’t just about acknowledging the past–it is also about understanding how women's struggles and triumphs have helped build our future. Women before us fought for basic rights like the right to vote, access to education and the ability to work in any field they chose. 

Thanks to their efforts, women today enjoy many freedoms and opportunities that were once out of reach. However, the work is far from done. Gender equality remains an ongoing battle, and Women's History Month serves as a call to action. As we look back at the powerful women who have shaped our world, we are to be reminded of the collective responsibility to continue advocating for equal rights and opportunities for all women. We are not going back.