Human rights have always been a large component of my life, as my mother is very involved in the women's movement and feminism. She has always encouraged me and my sister to pursue our goals no matter the obstacle and kept us aware of improvements and setbacks in women's rights.
Women's March
January 2017
On January 21st, 2017, the day after President Trump was inaugurated, the largest single-day protest in U.S. history occurred in Washington D.C. The central cause of this march included a push to secure and improve women's abortion rights, support for equal pay, and overall indignation that a man who repeatedly and publicly insulted and discriminated against women, people of color and those of the LGBTQ community had been elected President.
I participated in this protest with my mother, sister, two of my aunts and my cousin. I knew dozens of other friends and family members, both in D.C. and in smaller marches across the country, protesting as well.
I participated in this protest with my mother, sister, two of my aunts and my cousin. I knew dozens of other friends and family members, both in D.C. and in smaller marches across the country, protesting as well.
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Although the march was crowded with an estimate of 500,000 to 1 million people, I felt I was individually contributing to a bigger cause (along with 1.5% of the world's population) that could make real change. The sheer amount of passion and human generosity that was present there was almost overwhelming. From babies to women in their nineties, thousands of people spoke up for what they thought was right. The march gave me hope for future generations and mine, showing that we are truly able to make a change.
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Women's Reform Center
One of the first things that introduced me to the women's movement was the women's reform and rehabilitation center at my church. Meant to help rape victims, homeless women and recovering drug addicts get back on their feet, this program provides housing, counseling and job advice for one year. A part of my Catholic School activities was to preparing, serve and eat dinner with these women. Talking to them gave me a glimpse of the disadvantages women face in today's society, and how an unfortunate situation can be exacerbated by gender.
Anita Hill
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When given the option to research or present a topic of my own choice in class, I always direct my focus towards women's rights. In U.S. History my sophomore year, I chose to write my final research paper on Anita Hill's sexual harassment case against impending Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and the unjust way her testimony was essentially discarded. I chose to focus not on the resolution of the case, which swung in Thomas's favor, but the large impact Hill made on women in the US, showing them that they should not stay silent. Sexual harassment's stigma now is nothing compared to the "women's problem" it was kindly referred to as in the 1900's. From 1991, the year following Hill's case, to 1996, sexual harassment claims doubled. 1992 was dubbed the "Year of the Woman" as an increase in women's political participation and superior employment occurred. Articles, videos, and even a book by Anita Hill herself, Speaking Truth to Power, showed me that one courageous woman can cause a ripple effect across the country.
If you would like to read my full paper, click the link below. |
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