October 1973
Dear editor,
As a white woman who was raised in Pennsylvania in the 1930s, I have come to witness many injustices towards women. These injustices were acts to promote male dominance and an effort to gain absolute control over females. As a child, I learned about feminism from my grandmother. It is a theory that women should have economic, political and social rights equal to those of men. This philosophy inspired me to form my own similar belief; that men and women were created as equals and are meant to be equals.
In my teens, I looked to understand and participate in Feminist Movements. I learned of the strong individuals who became early pioneers of the Women’s Rights Movement. My great-grandmother, Angelina Grimké, and her sister Sarah Grimké, as well as Lucretia Mott, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucy Stone began as abolitionists and proceeded to organize the first Women’s Rights Conference in Seneca Falls, New York, in July, 1848. These activists, along with two hundred and forty others, created a statement of Women’s Rights that was modeled after the Declaration of Independence. This statement, known as the Declaration of Sentiments, promoted acts of support for Women’s Suffrage (women’s right to vote) and the alteration of marital and property laws. I believe that these alterations were an important step in protecting women from future injustice and laws that imposed upon women a lesser status than the status they imposed upon men. From the 1830s through the end of the Civil War, feminists and abolitionists worked side by side. Both parties fought for the same human rights: equality in race and gender.
However, in the 1930s, the support of feminist activity became a low priority for local governments in light of the Great Depression. Male political figures continued to see women incorrectly as moral guardians, who were meant to concentrate on domestic activities, while men needed jobs and money to support their families. At this time, Alice Paul, a suffragist wrote, “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on the account of sex” in the Equal Rights Amendment. Alice Paul was one of the many feminists who looked beyond the noble masks political figures wanted the public to see. Feminists such as Betty Friedan continued to work diligently, during this time, in an effort to protect women of all ages from male injustice. The feminists’ improved agenda highlighted their determination to: provide women with equal pay for comparable work, equal access into all jobs and high-powered professions, expansion of child care, reproductive rights, an acknowledgment of their own thoughts and opinions, a right to property, an end to violence against them and an increase of moral dignity. In essence, to be viewed as a man’s equal. These brave feminists fought for the rights of these women just as we all should.
A few years ago, in 1969, Betty Friedan, Pauli Murray and Dorothy Haener founded the National Organization for Women (NOW). NOW’s original statement of purpose, written by Betty Friedan, was that “women want feminism to take the actions needed to bring women into the mainstream of American society, now; full equality for women, in fully equal partnership with men.” NOW is the largest feminist organization in the United States. I agree with NOW’s statement of purpose because I, too, believe that women have been subjected to injustice for too long. Women deserve to be treated as magnanimously and to as high a standard as men in this society. Thankfully, NOW provides support for young women who search for equality.
A few years ago, in 1969, Betty Friedan, Pauli Murray and Dorothy Haener founded the National Organization for Women (NOW). NOW’s original statement of purpose, written by Betty Friedan, was that “women want feminism to take the actions needed to bring women into the mainstream of American society, now; full equality for women, in fully equal partnership with men.” NOW is the largest feminist organization in the United States. I agree with NOW’s statement of purpose because I, too, believe that women have been subjected to injustice for too long. Women deserve to be treated as magnanimously and to as high a standard as men in this society. Thankfully, NOW provides support for young women who search for equality.
In summary, as a feminist, I believe our society’s future support in the Women's Movement will bring about vast social, economic, political, and sexual progress for women. This progress will range from the legalization of abortion to the entrance of large numbers of women into politics, business, the Labor Movement, professions, and sports. I believe that as humans, we hold within ourselves certain truths; that men and women were created equal and given the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness by our Creator. To ensure that these rights were instituted we created governments. Whenever these governments become corrupt and do not protect these rights, it is the duty of those whose rights are at risk and those who bear witness to these wrongdoings, to protect them and insist upon instituting a new government. Women’s rights have been forgotten within our governments. In the history of humankind, men have subjected women to many injustices in an effort to gain absolute power and control. As feminists, we are vigilant in promoting the equal status of men and women, of all races, so that we may promote a better future for our daughters and sons. We strive for equality around tin our country. So, will you stand in the way of our children’s equality? Or will you join our pursuit?
Sincerely,
Sophie Grimké