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Women of History |
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Over the years, women have been recognized for many great
"firsts." But for every woman who reached the summit in her chosen
field, dozens — or even hundreds — have come before her,
lighting the way. In each individual woman's "first" we celebrate the
courage, commitment, and camaraderie of all women — and the
men who have supported and encouraged them. Often in the face
of incredible frustration and adversity, women have made great
gains throughout the twentieth century. Having begun the century
without the right to vote or to receive a university education, we
end it with most legal and institutional barriers removed.
Margret Sanger:
Her crusade to legalize birth control, spurred the movement for women's liberation
"The movement she started will grow to be, a hundred years from now
the most influential of all time, predicted futurist and historian H.G. Wells
when history of our civilization is written, it will be a biological history,
and Margret Sanger will be its heroine"..by Gloria Steimen
"She made people accept that women had the right to control their own destinies."
Grandson Alexander Sanger,
Head of Planned Parenthood, New York City
Abigal Adams
Adams recognized the limited role women were allowed to play in
the world, and for the most part accepted it. However, she insisted
that a woman's role carried an equal amount of importance and
responsibility to a man's. She believed that women deserved the
opportunities and rights - including education and legal and political
rights - that would enable them to live to their fullest capacity within
the domestic sphere. She wrote, "Let each planet shine in their own
orbit, God and nature designed it so. If man is Lord, woman is
Lordess - that is what I contend for, and if a woman does not hold
the Reigns of Government, I see no reason for her not judging how
they are conducted"
Susan B Anthony
Sufferage leader responsible for helping women
be granted the right to vote
Betty Friedan
Largely began the late-twentieth-century women's rights movement in the United States. Among her many accomplishments, Friedan founded the National Organization for Women in 1966 and continues to work for human rights and equality of the sexes.
Harriet Pilpel
Helped to gather evidence in a now famous law case to document the broad impact of contraception on maternal health and well being.
Indira Ghandi
Indira fought for India's indpendance. She was arrested
by the British and spent 13 months in jail. She became
Minister of Information and Broadcasting, and used her
position to extend
broadcasting time, liberalize censorship policies, and
approve a television education project in family planning.
She eventually became India's first female Prime
Minister.
Indira Ghandi was shot by members of her security guard
in 1984 because of her efforts to stop the violence in India
caused by Sikh insurgents.
In November 1991, the Government of British Columbia created the Ministry of Women's Equality,
Canada's first and only free-standing Ministry dedicated to women.
The Ministry also makes a positive difference in women's lives by developing and delivering programs that
expand choices and promote economic security, personal safety and well-being.
We advocate, lead, consult and educate on equality for women, particularly in the areas of economic
equality, women's health and stopping violence against women.
"A womens life can really be a succession of lives, each revolving around some emotionally compelling
situation or challenge, and each marked off by some intense experience."Wallis Simpson, Duchess of York
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