We Were Meant To Thrive, Not Survive.
If you’re a woman in your forties, consider this: your mother likely lived in a time of restricted career and personal growth opportunities throughout her adulthood. Delve deeper, and you’ll find that your grandmother’s era was marked by a grey reality where most women were denied even the basic right to vote. These generational narratives paint a compelling picture, one that invites us to honor women all over the world on March 8th and explore the evolving roles of women and the societal shifts that have shaped their journeys. A journey that is far from being over.
It may be difficult to fathom, but the reality of our mothers or grandmothers persists. Women worldwide have had to engage in arduous battles for equal rights, a struggle that continues in various regions to this day. While some of these struggles are overt, many remain veiled behind ingrained stereotypes. Consider, for instance, the issue of voting equality. The earliest instances of women casting ballots trace back to New Jersey in 1776; however, this privilege was rescinded with the advent of universal male suffrage in 1807. The subsequent years witnessed a tumultuous cycle of granting and revoking suffrage for women. It was only in 1900 that women suffrage grew to make an impact, but a slow one. In Europe, the culmination of this struggle arrived when Liechtenstein granted voting rights to women in 1984. Remarkably, it wasn’t until 2015 that Saudi Arabia extended this fundamental right to its female citizens.
The right to vote is only one dimension to look at equal women – men rights. How about education or job opportunities?
Despite these challenges, women persisted in finding avenues to amplify their voices and effect change within societies, shaping the world we inhabit today. Yes, often women have been overshadowed by their male counterparts or had their narratives marginalized, but this hasn’t stopped them to leave an indelible mark and contribute significantly to progress and transformation.
On Women’s Day, here is a tribute to women from our past, who lived in a male dominated society, but made their voices heard and talents seen.
Consider Rose Morgan, whose beauty parlor became an emblem of empowerment for African American women, or Hazel Bishop, whose invention of long-lasting lipstick revolutionized the cosmetics industry. Maria Orosa’s culinary innovations saved lives during World War II, while Caresse Crosby’s inventions transcended industries, from fashion to peace advocacy. Marie Curie, physicist and chemist, two-time winner of the Nobel Prize, for too long had her genius dismissed by professors, who mentioned her as merely the helper to her husband, casting him as the real genius behind their breakthroughs.
In Romania, my home country, the journey towards women’s emancipation faced great challenges, with legal recognition of their rights lagging until the late 20th century. Despite this, Romanian women left undeniable marks on society. Elena Negruzzi broke barriers as the first female lawyer, while Mariana Stirbey soared to new heights as a pioneering pilot. Ana Aslan, a pioneer in social medicine left an enduring legacy through her beauty cosmetics innovations. Monica Lovinescu’s fearless journalism challenged totalitarian regimes, leading to serious threats to her life and even physical assault.
Although strides towards progress and change are evident, and discussions surrounding gender equality and equitable treatment abound, a United Nations report suggests that it will take 286 years to close gaps in legal protection and remove discriminatory laws, while achieving parity in positions of power and leadership will require approximately 140 years. Presently, only one in three management roles are occupied by women, and women earn 77 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts.
Being a woman myself and navigating both corporate environments and entrepreneurship, I’ve often encountered situations where I’ve felt the need to validate my abilities perhaps tenfold compared to my male peers. What truly made a distinction for me was the invaluable support and mentorship provided by fellow women who have faced similar challenges.
Closing the gender gap necessitates fostering strength within communities through mentorship and collaborative endeavors. It’s crucial to recognize that this isn’t about pitting women against men; rather, it underscores the importance of women empathizing with and comprehending the obstacles faced by their counterparts.
To all women in the world, remember that we were meant to thrive, not survive.
Happy Women’s Day
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