“Remember ALL the Ladies”

By Ellie Z.

In 71 days, I get to do something I’ve never done before. I get to vote for the next president of the United States of America, to have my voice heard in our democratic republic. 

I think back to history class, where I learned about how Jane Adams urged her husband, John Adams, and other members of the Continental Congress to “remember the ladies” as a new set of laws were created following America’s independence. It’s a reminder that having the opportunity to vote is not just a given, it’s something thousands of activists worked zealously to achieve for years — something that many people around the world still don’t have the right to do. It took almost 150 years for her vision – a society in which women were equal under the law – to begin to be realized under the 19th amendment. 

On Women’s Equality Day, we celebrate this accomplishment. But I also think it’s important to reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of those who risked their lives to advocate for our rights and to remind ourselves of all the work that we still have to do. 

Women’s Equality means exactly what it sounds like – equal rights for ALL women. That includes trans women, masc women, or anyone who identifies as female. It means that we are not done, because until we are all treated the same under the law and in everyday life, until our right to control our own bodies is protected, until we’re allowed to receive gender affirming care, until the pink tax is eliminated, until period products are made accessible for all, until the wage gap is closed, and until we are all accepted and loved for who we are, there is still more work to be done. 

Being a woman is beautiful, because I can be feminine, but I can also be strong, confident, athletic, intelligent, and passionate. I’m uplifted by organizations like It Gets Better that spotlight the voices of young women and encourage us to never remain silent. 

I’m proud to be a woman, I’m proud to be queer, and I’m proud to have my first vote be cast for our first woman, Black, and Asian candidate for president. 

This Women’s Equality Day, take a moment to remember what we’re fighting for and to remember all those in your life and community that need your support.

Remember ALL the ladies.

– Ellie Z. is a high school senior and in her second year of It Gets Better’s Youth Voices program.