International Women's Day is tomorrow, so I figured I would take the opportunity beforehand to acknowledge it and maybe pump us up a little bit! I love days that are picked out to honor or remember something, someone, or some group that made a difference in people's lives. This is one of them. This celebration is not in place to point out any one woman who has made a difference in our lives, but it is to acknowledge all of the women who have been pioneers for their future generations.

I am in a Women of Modern History class this semester. I'm SO SO glad that I am taking it! I wish all my classes were as interesting as this. I have learned so much about how women have influenced our world...how the thousands of women who picketed the factories, the women who were uneducated but started unions, ran for public office, spoke out about child labor and fair pay, fought for health for pregnant and nursing mothers, worked to get contraception to the poor women who were in fear of death from pregnancy complications, and those who were told they could not do something just because they were a woman but they did it any ways has truly shaped ALL OF OUR LIVES!

To think that we might not have safety standards at work, no information for pregnant mothers, no representation in office would be a horrible thought! When I actually think about it, I am amazed at how much the women of the past have done for us. One of these significant women I have learned just a bit about is Eleanor Roosevelt. The thing that impresses me most about her is how she did what she thought was right, no matter what anyone said. She stood up against the segregation laws at the Southern Conference on Human Welfare, she spoke out about what was happening during the Holocaust, and although some people thought she was a Communist, she knew who she was, she knew what she stood for and she did it. Think about how strong and confident she was to publicly stand up for her beliefs when her husband, the President, felt differently. I think even today that would be hard for anyone but it is even more impressive for Eleanor, who was living in a time when being married, feminine, and pure was the ideal.

We as a country and as a people have moved forward in many of the causes the women in the early 1900's were fighting for and we should celebrate that. We can do this in so many ways! Acknowledge the influential, powerful, and smart women in your life that make a difference to you. We should show our appreciate for the women who brought us to where we are by continuing to strive for equality and a better life for the generations to come. I think it is so important to understand the past in order to work towards the future. Tomorrow, seek out information about a woman in the past that has made a difference... it may open your eyes to something you've never taken a second look at in today's world!

I'm seriously so excited to be a woman! haahaa! I know that sounds really corny, but honestly, when I hear about all the things that women have done in the past it reminds me that we have the power to make impacting changes for the future. Take tomorrow to remember things, the small and big things that your mother or grandmother did, the teachers/professors/mentors that challenge you today, and the young people who are going to be leading the way for all the following generations.

Take a look into the lives of some of these women if you want a little history!:

• 100 Influential Women in History
• Notable Women 
• 100 Important Women in History

Go forth and be the spunky woman you are! 

Feel the passion.Live the passion.

~Stephanie

View Original Post at stephaniemp911.blogspot.com

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