Women: Past, Present and Future
“If we mean to have Heros, Statesmen and Philosophers, we should have learned women…. If much depends as is allowed upon the early Education of youth and the first principles which are instilled take the deepest root, great benefit must arise from literary accomplishments in women.”
Abigail Adams
August 14, 1776
Letter to husband John Adams
(1st & 2nd U.S. V.P. and 3rd U.S. President)
The New York State Young Democrats Women’s Caucus would like to acknowledge and thank The Democratic Party and The Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee, in particular, for their enthusiastic support of our efforts to continue to bring in and maintain young people as active participants of and voices for the Democratic Party. Eleanor Roosevelt was an ardent supporter of the under-represented, specifically women and people of color. In a radio address as First Lady in 1934 she said, “We can have no group beaten down, underprivileged without reaction of the rest.” It is our greatest hope and belief that by sticking to these principles we can succeed in educating and inspiring those whom we need to join us as we bring to light the true essence of Equality for All.
Women have actively engaged in and are responsible for many more of society’s progressive advances than are commonly acknowledged. Much like Rosa Parks is most widely known for refusing to give up her bus seat, in reality, she had been doing and continued after that event to do extensive work to promote civil rights (especially via her recruiting and teaching efforts of young people). In the same vein, Eleanor Roosevelt was, as mentioned, lauded for successful efforts on behalf of women and ethnic minorities undertaken during her tenure as First Lady. However, it is lesser known that she was a force in the progressive movement long before marrying and holding an official title. For example, “Before her marriage to Franklin in 1905 she had been active in the New York settlement-house movement and the Consumers’ League.” Later, in spite of her intense dislike of traditional politics when she found herself in a position to take advantage of a microphone she did so for the greater good. “Like many reformers of her day, she found her sense of social justice upset by the existence of poverty and inequality.” For the betterment of others she took advantage of her access. And, “Her willingness to serve gave encouragement to those who had lost all hope.” As young women of the democratic party we owe it to the memories of these women, the women who follow their ideals today, and those of future generations to not only carry on but to make gigantic leaps forward - - if not now, when? No one can afford to put this off any longer.
Traditionally, in America’s schools the U.S. civil rights era and the struggle for equal rights for women tend to be taught in history classes. This implies that these were once problems that have actually been alleviated or even eradicated. But, has so much really changed? Consider the danger of allowing ourselves (all humankind), as many people do, to take for granted that American women have rights equal to those of men… After all in 2006 United States women, on average, living in what is usually referred to as the most modern and wealthiest country in the world earn almost thirty cents less per dollar than men earn yet women tend to live longer and for this and many other reasons will likely need more, if not the same, amount of money.
Let’s look back again almost one hundred years and see how much has really changed. Historians describing the early 1900’s in a high school text book wrote, “Many of the working women in the 1930s were either single or the sole support of an entire family. Yet their wages remained lower than those for men, and their unemployment ran higher than 20 percent throughout the decade…. By 1940, the percentage of women in the work force was no higher than it had been in 1910, and the traditional sexual inequities in the marketplace were as great as ever.”
Sound familiar? Sound like something you might hear today? Then read on… As early as the 18th Century even women in positions with access to powerful people (men) made public statements and requests; statements so strong that they although the words themselves have lived on in history the progress they eloquently urged has been almost overlooked. As early as 1776 Abigail Adams, “One of the generation’s most articulate women, instructed her husband as he set off for the opening of the Continental Congress, ‘I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors.’
The New York State Young Democrats Women’s Caucus maintains hope and better yet, is invigorated! It is exactly at a time such as this when the political climate may appear grim that we can and must affect fundamental lasting change. You too need to come forward as we work to identify young women with the potential to serve. Our efforts increase women’s participation in New York Democratic politics by raising funds to help elect women to state and local offices, by providing training and leadership development, and establishing a statewide network of women community leaders, elected officials and activists.
Our goal is to promote women for the good of all humankind and let me make this clear - - our goal is to advance all types of women for the good of all people and not to the detriment of men. We educate, energize, and support women such that we, men, women and children living today and in future generations, will all understand that women have inherent leadership capabilities that once fully realized will make for the betterment of the people of New York State and people around the globe. We are here to assist you, to give you the opportunity to help yourself and others and to learn from you! This is our time.
As just a small sample of why we have reason for such optimism please take a look at just a few examples of current women making great strides on our behalf: · In New York State news, just in time to kick off Women’s History Month, two female democrats won Assembly seats in a special election. Linda Rosenthal was elected to fill the Upper West Side Assembly (67th District) seat left vacant by Scott Stringer’s ascension to the position of Manhattan borough president. She won a four way race with just over 60 percent of the vote far more than any of her competitors garnered. According to Linda’s website she, “Played a significant role to defeat the West Side Stadium proposal, saving critical resources for our schools and public transit system… After 9/11, Linda fought the EPA to provide better clean-up efforts to improve the air quality for those who live and work in lower Manhattan. She also compelled the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) to free up more federal grant money to aid in the economic recovery of small businesses in the area. In Albany, Linda will immediately move to strengthen New York State's abortion law so that women are not left vulnerable to prosecution in the event of the erosion or reversal of Roe v. Wade.” Sylvia Friedman with an impressive 71 percent was elected to represent the 74th Assembly District, a section of Manhattan’s East Side. Friedman has a history of grassroots activism. She is a Democratic State Committeewoman, a leading member of the Gramercy-Stuyvesant Independent Democrats club and former district leader. She has been quoted as encouraging young people to take on similar positions in public service.
· In national news democratic female senators continue to make us proud: On Air America December 11, 2005 host David Bender described United States Senator Barbara Boxer of California as, “One of few truly consistent progressive voices in the U.S. Senate”. He went on to remind listeners that, “Boxer was the only member of the Senate to support a House challenge to the validity of the 2004 presidential election results in Ohio and, for that act of courage alone, she deserves lasting respect.”
· And, on the global front women are really spreading their wings and making a positive impact for us all. The White House Project which, “Works to make a woman president a reality in the US,” is currently using their website to highlight the fact that, “Women’s leadership is clearly gaining momentum around the world. Germany and Liberia each recently elected their first woman president. Finland re-elected Tarja Halonen on January 29. And Jamaica just elected their first female president…” This month, coincidentally Women’s History Month, The Project is celebrating the, “Upcoming inauguration of Michele Bachelet, Chile’s first female president, on March 11.” Perhaps it is my own experience as a former educator but I think we will all be best served if we continue to listen to one another, pay attention to the world around us (not just women’s issues) and perhaps most importantly ask questions. Do you know how many countries have now or have already had female leaders? Let’s get ready to discuss this: How can you/we help the U.S. be next? I hope you will consider joining the New York State Young Democrats Women’s Caucus. I thank you for taking the time to read these words. And, please feel free to contact me or anyone in our organization any time.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Gantcher
Chair
New York State Young Democrats Women’s Caucus
Rgantcher@aol.com
