This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to our Constitution, enabling women the Right of the Vote.
We cannot estimate the losses incurred to our nation by the too long diminishing and depriving of women.
There remain vestiges of limitations upon women as ignorance can die hard. For some die-hards, the advancement of women can seem like a threat, or worse, an assault. In response, anger always lurks nearby, bringing to mind the saying, “When the only tool in your belt is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”
The recent passing of “Rosie the Riveter,” who personified the unique entry of women on a national scale into industrial employment during World War II, marks also an altogether slow but continuing ending of barriers to women.
As a man, I earlier experienced a twinge of pique when a woman was better at something I had thought was my purview. But that minor discomfort faded quickly when recognized as my own vanity. Going forward, working with highly-capable women, and relying on their many talents, insights and ideas offered a better recipe for outcomes than when relying on a single testosterone ingredient.
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While winds of change upset the status quo, they can tend to bring better design to the boat, especially when waves are looking to swamp the deck.
The sea-change of women on all stations has come at earlier losses, on the backs of great efforts over a long period of time. And while it is unfortunate that it took so long, its success is better to be enduring.
In the final tally, success was anywhere that civil rights have met civil responsibilities.
It would be wonderful for this to be of the era of the ERA.
Philip Vaughan
Lake Edward Township
