~a column by Mary Weaver
Most of us are aware that we are living in an historical moment, with a female being nominated as a candidate for President of the United States this past week. Though Hillary Clinton was previously nominated for that position the “vibe” appears to be different at this moment.
It seems appropriate to provide a column including a bit of history, and facts about equality and equity.
Women’s Equality Day will be celebrated August 26 and commemorates the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. On July 2, 1919, Iowa became the 10th state to ratify the 19th Amendment, but it was not until August 18,1920, that Tennessee was the 36th and final state to vote for ratification, and thus the amendment gave women the right to vote.
Equality Day was established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1971.
An Iowan, Carrie Chapman Catt was an instrumental leader for women to obtain the right to vote. She was born in Wisconsin, and at age 7 in 1887, moved to a farm near Charles City. She was disturbed when her father and the hired man went to town to vote, but her mother could not vote. She graduated from Iowa State University, the only female in her class. She later became the first female school superintendent in Mason City. She was married to Leo Chapman, but he died of typhoid fever, and she was a young widow at age 28. Carrie later married George Catt, an engineer, and an Iowa State graduate. She continued to play a key role in organizing the first suffrage convention in the state and spoke at suffrage conventions and rallies across the nation.
As we celebrate Equality Day we must distinguish between equality and equity.
EQUALITY is the right of different groups of people to receive the same treatment.
Equality is recognizing that, as human beings, we all have the same value. This means, we all have the same rights, we should all receive the same level of respect, and have the same access to opportunities.
EQUITY considers the specific needs or circumstances of a person or group and provides the types of resources needed to be successful.
EQUALITY: Everyone gets the same book. EQUITY: Everyone gets the book that is right for them.
EQUALITY: Everyone gets a pair of shoes. EQUITY: Everyone gets a pair of shoes that fits.
Financial equality refers to the equal distribution of resources and opportunities, regardless of gender or any other factor, allowing everyone to have an equal chance to achieve their goals.
Most women unknowingly celebrated the 50th anniversary of being able to apply and receive a credit card without a signature of a man. That occurrence was July 5, 1974.
Financial equity continues to lag. In 2024, women only earned about 84 cents for every dollar a man earned in the same job. This is almost the same amount as it was twenty years ago.
Readers, take a moment to recognize and thank your mom, sister, daughter, niece, or other female in our community. Women hold up half the sky.
VIEW FROM MY WINDOW, is written by Mary Weaver, from her home near rural Rippey.
