Women’s History Month serves a dual purpose. It is a reminder of those who fought for women’s independence, like Dolores Huerta. It also serves as a reminder to women, as well as men, that the fight for independence and respect is not over yet.
Woman’s fight for freedom in America has continued for more than 200 years and is still going. It first took written form in 1792 with Mary Wollstonecraft’s “Vindication of the Rights of Women,” and has continued through the work of women like Betty Friedan, who formed the National Organization for Woman (NOW) in 1963, as well as Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers Union (UFW).
Though Huerta is best known for her work with the UFW, she also is a tireless worker for women’s rights. In 1993, she was inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame and in 1998, she was named one of three Ms. Magazine “Women of the Year.” Huerta also is a founding board member of the Feminist Majority Foundation and is involved in many other organizations.
Bakersfield College kicked off its celebration of Women’s History Month this week with a special presentation by Huerta. She spoke on women and societal change.
Women have come a long way, but the journey to true equality is not over. The right to vote was given to women in 1920.
A woman’s right to her body is an issue still hotly contested. It was not so long ago that women were expected to stay home and have babies.
They could not dress as they pleased, hold certain jobs. Many are still pigeonholed by these types of ideas. Women’s History Month is not just a reflection on what has been done, but a call to do more.
The women of the 1960s and 1970s cried out long and loud that they should be treated as men’s equal. These women accomplished much, but their message has been partially forgotten; the purpose, however, remains.
Since its zenith in the ’70s, feminism has become a dirty word. Yet the work of feminists is not over. The tendency is to settle for the status quo. However, the status quo is not acceptable.
Even though the Equal Pay Act was signed in 1963, making it illegal to pay men and woman a different wage, women still make 73 cents to every dollar earned by men. For African-American women it’s 63 cents to that dollar, 52 cents for Hispanic women.
In government, women are in the minority. Of the 535 members of the 108th Congress, only 73 are women. That works out to around 13 percent. Of those 73, only 18 are women of color. Though the number of female lawyers is on the rise, only three women are managing partners in the top 200 law firms. Clearly, women have a long road left to finding equality in the workplace.
The Third Wave Foundation, which connects young feminists, uses the tag-line, “The fight for justice ignores no one.” Women’s History Month is still vital to society. It isn’t about just women, it’s about respect for all. It honors women’s achievements, but it’s about equality for the human race.