Yesterday, for the first time, I voted for a woman for president. We are silent no longer. Our struggle for equal rights has come to this. Thank you, Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Thank you, Susan B. Anthony. I hope our future actions do you proud. I am only sorry that the electorate chose a pompous bombast over progress.
Despite my sadness over the election results, I am heartened by the thousands of people who peacefully waited to pay their respects to Susan B. Anthony yesterday. I am proud to say that I am a native and lifelong resident of this wonderful city that helped launch the suffragette movement. The images that appeared on my evening news broadcast will stay with me forever. There is hope. There are decent people out there.
I have my work cut out for me. I will take heart in Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s words:
“We do not expect our path will be strewn with the flowers of popular applause, but over the thorns of bigotry and prejudice will be our way, and on our banners will beat the dark storm-clouds of opposition from those who have entrenched themselves behind the stormy bulwarks of custom and authority, and who have fortified their position by every means, holy and unholy.”
-Elizabeth Cady Stanton, “Address Delivered at Seneca Falls” (1848)
Well written post. I remain optimistic that we can use this election as a wake-up call that we need to work together to understand the challenges people across the country are facing, and work together so everyone benefits.