First Tokes

My post content

My first blog entry was written following the 2024 election:

12/20/24

This, losing the recent presidential election and its projected outcomes, just breaks my heart. I know, we were this close! And for the second time. (Remember Hillary?) At first, I was crestfallen. But then, I began to reminisce on the advances to fundamental women's rights that had been made back in my day.

I came of age when the Women's Lib’s era made its mark on women's history. On the ground, this is what the women's movement in the ‘70s looked like: we didn't have to be married to buy birth control. (1972) We could get our own credit cards and loans. (1974) High school girls had the same opportunities to compete in sports as high school boys (1972). That one went far in promoting and empowering many young women, myself included, and in creating the changes that will carry us forth from here.

Right now, all around, I still see a widespread double standard of men having the majority power. This cheap power grab has recently reared its ugly head in our current political era. I'm sorry to say, the men of my generation are the largest group voting for Trump. They are the strength behind voting us backwards. (The largest voting block for Trump in 2024 was white men 45 years or older.)

But I don't despair. We women have carried on the good fight while raising the kids and working. We did this by flexing our financial power, often on our own. With more financial rights it became okay to voice our terms and advocate for ourselves. Mothers of my generation raised their sons to be way more supportive and respectful of their wives' endeavors and contributions. I see my daughter and daughter-in-laws as having autonomy in their relationships and careers.

I have granddaughters coming of age, one to be 18 soon. They are brave and bold. Their lives will be affected by our recent political losses, for sure, but the women that have carried on before her who wrestled against stinky masculinity, who paid the dues and showed them that, well, we are pissed off. We will keep on fighting for our seats to be at the table where decisions are made.

I have hope. I believe that our progress, however slow, will continue to happen if we keep speaking up, stepping up, and not despairing. We need to keep educating our daughters and sons in the wisdom of equality, but do it as the strong women who have done it before us: heads up, shoulders squared, and always, always, moving it forward.