In a speech to the International Council of Women in 1888, suffragette and anthropologist, Alice Fletcher said “I crave for my Indian sisters, your help, your patience, and your unfailing labors, to hasten the day when the laws of the land shall know neither male nor female, but grant to all equal rights and equal justice.” In the 131 years following Alice Fletcher’s speech, women in general have gained a great many rights, but the Haudenosaunee women have lost many of theirs, and there remains an upward battle for equal justice.

Melinda Gates is right on the money, as the saying goes, to reach gender equality and parity in the U.S. is going to take more than what we are currently doing. This lofty goal requires lofty and systemic changes.

To sum up the importance of the event, Congressman Beyer noted that “when women succeed, America succeeds,” and this is something to keep in mind as we continue #FightingForEquality.

Congressman Don Beyer (VA-8) with Jane Fonda (left) and Megan Beyer (right) on Oct. 12, 2019.

The Sudanese Women’s Union persists in their hope for a more equal society, stating “long live the Sudanese women’s strife to become partners in the transitional period.”

International Women's Day in Abyei, Sudan: "International Women's Day in Abyei" by NewsHour is licensed under CC BY NC 2.0

"It’s hard to not get excited about all of the young, diverse Republican women running in 2020. If the United States is ever going to achieve gender parity, it is necessary for more Republican women to get elected. However, there are obstacles standing in the way of those women becoming leaders in this country. Embracing recruitment targets and challenging PACs to set goals for the totals that they give to female candidates would alleviate the hurdles that these women face while running for office. Advancing these reforms is a key step in advancing women’s representation in government."

"Addressing the lack of equal representation in government through changing recruiting practices and improving our electoral systems would ensure that future generations have women leaders to look up to. I hope the work I do this fall at RepresentWomen ensures that one day all women will have a seat at the table."

On October 15th, the fourth Democratic debate will be held in Westerville, Ohio. This time 12 Democrats will take the stage in what is being referred to as the “biggest debate ever.”

Image from Canva; by Brett Sayles from Pexels