by Stephany
What defines a leader, is it the strength that one has to stand up for what they believe? Or is it the a person who is born with the gene of courage willing to fight for others? Maybe, it's the ability that one has to persevere even in the toughest of situations. Many philosophers have asked themselves this difficult question and yet they find it impossible to define a true leader in an everyday circumstance. History has been existent since the beginning of time, and has describe what our people have through, whether its cruel punishments, or glorious victories. From those agonizing situations have grown, what in my definition, are true, dedicated leaders. Any person has to overcome obstacles in life, but during the fight of women's rights only women who desired the best for the upcoming generations fought until they had no strength and energy left in themselves.
Feminists like Susan B. Anthony particularly, is the major reason why every single woman now have many of the rights we were limited until the fight for justice. In the year of 1852 Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Amelia Bloomer joined forces to fight for suffrage and equal pay. After a few years Susan formed alliances with Lucy Stone, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucretia Mott, to help create a new association called American Equal Rights Association. A year later this association became involved in Kansas where both African Americans and women suffrage was determined. Although hopes were high both were neglected at the polls and on 1868 Elizabeth and Susan developed the political weekly named Revolution. By the year of 1869 Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton formed a new organization named NWSA, which stands for National Women Suffrage Association. Susan B. Anthony went to an extreme level of trying to vote in an election in Rochester and was caught red handed, arrested and on top of it all, was charged and declared guilty of "violating women's rights". People like Susan B. Anthony who take high risks for standing up for what they believe in always receive what they desire even if it takes time and effort to obtain it.
Our voice has been hidden, our lives have been judged, now all that remains is the hope inside us. The "battle" towards women's rights had only one goal, liberating the women of this country truly by obtaining their civil rights. Of course many women weren't allowed to be apart of this revolution, and were kept in silence, their lives simply dedicated to the men of the household and acting in "proper manner". Yet we still had women willing to fight with every strength of their body and tried to resist violent influences. All women were aware that this particular battle was man against woman, which would be even more difficult to come out of this predicament as victorious. Every woman reunited to obtain their rights, one of the methods used was picketing. Females would surround the grounds of the white house pleading, silently, and symbolically, for rights. While at first times were tough and not a single change was made, they weren't discouraged and yet again protested until they no longer could stand. Parades were also an efficient method used by women, which showed a quantity of significant symbolical meaning. All gathered for one cause, dressed in only white clothing, representing the peace they will be demonstrating throughout this difficult challenge. Younger toddlers and infants were a major part of this parade, reaching the sentimental side of those on the opposing side, hoping primarily all men would reflect on their thoughts and action towards women's rights. Children resembled the thought of how the future would only bring barriers and unaccomplished goals to their lives if their own mothers weren't granted rights in this generation. Days and nights progressed, and yet again no significant changes, and after so much effort, the only method not used was the most feared, hunger strike. Many women held hunger strikes, yet the worse imaginable occurred, they were disrespected among men and were forced fed. All of these methods were very significant in their unique way and led to what we now have obtained and are still fighting for.
To hear her last words, brings tears to their eyes, for they know what she's been through and how she devoted her life to this cause. Since a young toddler she's been discriminated against and thought as inferior, with no clue of why this was happening. "This is a man's world, where no woman has a say in anything", were the one of many phrases said repeatedly to put her down. Her tears would soak the every ground she stood foot upon, tears of disappointment and fear for the future would devour her emotions. Until one day she decided to stand up for every young girl in America limited in their rights, and show every man in the country that a woman is not a mere object with a mind and speaking ability. All she accomplished and now she's lived and died for what she strongly believed in. Many women had been victims of their own dedication, they stood so firmly in justice for the sake of not only themselves, but those in the same situation and for the future generations. While they were underestimated at first they proved themselves in a dangerous matter by starving themselves declaring to our country, "Blessed our thou who hunger for justice". In many situations these women were to the point of weakness, where they simple couldn't lift a leg in order to walk. As some were ignored and let to die others were fed in a forced matter, with no humane respect for any woman. Some women were imprisoned, without the law on their side there was no hope for liberty. Sacrifices were made, children we left without a mother, and some died with no experience of how a our country would be if women were given rights. Although these horrible events occurred they happened for a reason, “It is not those who can inflict the most but those who can suffer the most who will conquer...those whose faith is strong will endure to the end in triumph.”— Terrence Mac Swiney
Throughout the years we have earned every right for women in the Constitution for our will and determination from many of our dear ancestors. As anything in life it was both bitter-sweet situation, we now have what we sincerely deserved, yet lives and freedoms were scarified throughout it's process. Those women who fought as any soldier would for their country have died with dignity, honor, and respect, and now rest peacefully for eternity. It's up to us, the present generation to continue their footsteps, stand up for those who are weak, demand what we deserve, and nonetheless never keep hidden in the darkness where no one can hear or voice or see your present. This battle continues and as well will continue our willpower for justice. "One piece of log creates a small fire, adequate to warm you up, add just a few more pieces to blast an immense bonfire, large enough to warm up your entire circle of friends; needless to say that individuality counts but team work dominates. ", Jin Kwon. Together we are invincible and can accomplish the most difficult of tasks, but only if we have one thing on our minds, equality.
Photo Credit
Flickr Creative Commons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/evaekeblad/2230497789/
