Feminism

Do you realize that women haven’t had the right to vote in this country for even a hundred years so far? 1920 is the year that Congress passed an amendment that prevented gender discrimination in voting. Think how far we have come in only 90 years. We’ve come far enough to take it for granted is how far. I am flabbergasted by the lack of voting by women (and people in general) in this country. Seriously, we should be lining up at every chance to vote. I’m preaching to myself here, because to date, I’ve only voted in presidential elections. That’s just ridiculous. That’s a slap in the face to women like Susan B. Anthony who were sent to jail because of their efforts to grant women a voice in this country. I’m wasting my freedom.

Another thought along the feminist line. I’m really surprised sometimes by the little things in society that seem to stick even after feminism has come so far. When Chuck and I got married I decided (against the advice of books and people) to include the woman’s name on the outside address of our invitations. How ridiculous is it that a woman is still known by her husband’s name? Out of the whole line, “Mr. and Mrs. Charles Anderson,” the only part that is me is the “Mrs.” And even that is still wrapped up in my identity in relation to a man. That’s just lame. So we addressed the envelopes like this, “Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Margaret Anderson.” I was proud of myself for thinking of it. But it’s funny because some people noticed and actually criticized me for it. And these critics were both feminism-sympathizers. I don’t understand how you can want to have equal rights of a man but still be okay with your own name—your own identity left off of formal things like invitations. Well, anyway, I don’t care what they think. For a moment— for a line of an invitation—women invited to my wedding had a name—acknowledged as a person in their own right, regardless of their husband. (I know I’m being dramatic, I can’t help it!)