The Past Reflects Our Future (3rd Place, 2021 Women’s History Essay Contest)

By Chloe Inouye

Chloe Inouye

History. That is the thing that the world always revolves around. But what are one of the biggest problems we still face today? Well, that would be Women’s rights. We did not have the right to vote until 1920, which is awfully recent. Thousands, even millions, of women have tried to change the world attempting to obtain equal rights beside men. Over time, that did happen.

One of those women was Abigail Adams. She was the “First Lady” of the White House but most importantly, she was an inspiration for fighting for women’s equal rights and her bravery that she stood with. She has inspired me personally because she gives me the courage to stand up for myself and gives me a voice to defend and express my thoughts and curiosities.

The most famous work of Abigail Adams, “Remember The Ladies,” illustrates why men should not always be in control of everything and the cause and effect if men had universal power over women. “Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands.

Remember all men would be tyrants if they could” Abigail writes. “If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.” Riots and speeches, held by women, took place in various locations throughout the world to make a change in this biased inequality. Our government did not bother acknowledging this movement for quite a long time. Why can’t women have that same power? What would be the difference if a woman had the ability to rule what men could not? Things that men say are trying to make women weak when they clearly are not. Some men mention how much stronger they are and why it is better for them to be working instead of women. Hence, why is it so wrong for women to do the same? Women should have been given the chance to have equal rights, just like men, thousands of years ago. The world has been built off men, but now it is the women’s turn to take a stand and adjoin them.

Today, there is still prejudice against women. In school, work, and many other daily activities women do are silenced by the power and choices of men. For example, in school many teachers will consistently call on boys to do the “heavy lifting” if they need help, almost never calling the girls for that kind of work. Why is it fair for boys only doing the “heavy lifting”?

Can’t the girls do the same? Another case is if a woman is trying to find a job and there is a man who is also applying for the same position. Most of the time, companies choose the more experienced candidate. However, at other times, businesses automatically choose men over women. They think that women are less adequate for the job than men. That is one of the most inaccurate pieces of evidence that men hold against women. This is why it is harder for women to get jobs. Inequality against men and women have been very diverse for a long time. It is time to stop reliving the past and create a future where men and women have equal chances in life with no excuses that would block their path to success.

How does this relate to me? Well, when I grow older to become an adult, I want my freedom of speech and to never be silenced. Many women before me went through trial and error to make the world what it is today. I want to be a part of this change. I want to see the world evolve into a more equal and peaceful place where everyone can be heard, especially the women. I do not want to be part of a group of people doing nothing about this problem. I want to be a part of the group that alternates the worlds perspectives on women and our rights. We should all be heard fairly, not discriminated against by our gender or anything else. It is better to not make our same mistakes again, so let us create a new world with equality and peace.

Work Cited Page:

Staff, American History Central. “Abigail Adams, Biography, Quotes, First Lady.” American History Central, R.Squared Communications, LLC, 13 Jan. 2021, www.americanhistorycentral.com/entries/abigail-adams/view/quotes/.

History.com Editors. “Abigail Adams.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 27 Oct. 2009, www.history.com/topics/first-ladies/abigail-adams#section_6.

Michals, Edited by Debra. “Abigail Smith Adams.” National Women’s History Museum, https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/abigail-adams

History.com Editors. “Women’s History Milestones: A Timeline.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 26 Feb. 2019, www.history.com/topics/womens-history/womens-history-us-timeline.

“Abigail Adams Urges Husband to ‘Remember the Ladies.’” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 22 Oct. 2009, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/abigail-adams-urges-husband-to- remember-the-ladies.