Are there women who have inspired you, in history, or in more recent times? This is a special month to honor their extraordinary achievements.
March is National Women’s History Month.
I want to share a few quotes and moments from phenomenal women who have blazed a trail for many of us today. Regardless of your politics, it’s safe to say that Michelle Obama, the first African-American first lady of the United States, is forging a unique path. As one of her platforms, she addresses family physical fitness and she connects on a level to which we can all relate.
I still chuckle recalling a visit she made to the Ellen DeGeneres show. Challenged to see who could do the most push-ups, Michelle got down on the floor and soundly beat Ellen, who gracefully gave up. Could you imagine any other first lady in history being that down-to-earth, literally and figuratively?
She inspires women to better health, saying, “Women, in particular, need to keep an eye on their physical and mental health. Because we’re scurrying to and from appointments and errands, we don’t have a lot of time to take care of ourselves. We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to do’ list.”
And let’s not forget the women who helped give Michelle Obama, and other women, a respected voice in America generations ago – women such as Sojourner Truth. This freed slave, with risk to her own life, courageously spoke up and fought for women’s rights. In her “Ain’t I a Woman” speech in 1851, she said, “That little man in black over there, he says women can’t have as much rights as men ‘cause Christ wasn’t a woman. Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with him.”
One of the most significant achievements in women’s history is the crusade for our right to vote. Can you imagine what would have happened if the women’s suffrage movement never took place? For that, we owe thanks to pioneers such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, Dora Lewis and Ida B. Wells.
Some of these voting rights pioneers were arrested, jailed and brutally beaten, but they didn’t give up. Susan B. Anthony once said, “Organize, agitate, educate, must be our war cry.” Where would we be if significant women today and throughout history, did not “organize, agitate and educate,” so that our daughters today are treated with more equality and respect?
In a short column, I can’t celebrate all of the amazing women in history, but I close with an inspirational quote from a modern-day pioneer whose impact is immeasurable.
Oprah Winfrey has said, “Only make decisions that support your self-image, self-esteem and self-worth.” I hope that all women remember how unique and beautiful you are. Embrace your power. Celebrate your self-worth and live a life that reflects your values. You, too, have impact and can forge your own unique path.
You can email comments to Angela Cain at acain@wthr.com.
