This week we began with the topic of historical perspectives. This topic was introduced with one timeline and a short video. This week’s timeline reading is called “100 Years toward Suffrage: An Overview” by E. Susan Barber and watching the short Youtube video “Untold Stories of Black Women in the Suffrage Movement.” The timeline provided new information about the changes women faced throughout the years starting from 1776. The video also provided information on women I did not know before. Both provided powerful messages that have happened in the 19th and early 20th centuries. 

The timeline reading “100 Years toward Suffrage: An Overview” by E. Susan Barber is a timeline from so early as 1776 and ends in the year 1923. I actually really liked this timeline, it was to the point and simple to understand. The reading begins by talking about Abigail Adams. My first reaction was “who? I continue reading it says, “Abigail Adams writes to her husband, John, who is attending the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, asking that he and the other men–who were at work on the Declaration of Independence–“Remember the Ladies.” John responds with humor. The Declaration’s wording specifies that “all men are created equal.” I was still a bit confused so I googled her name and the first thing I saw was, “Abigail Adams was the wife and closest advisor of John Adams.” It was then when I understood what the timeline was saying. Abigail told one of the most influential people to write the declaration of independence to include everyone. And today everyone knows the famous phrase “All men are created equal.” The phrase was used to unite the colonies together, but only united the men of the colonies. It was very shocking that her wife just disregards Abigail and thought little of women. I’m assuming because of this Abigail became known as one of the first advocates for women’s equality. I think it’s great that our advocacy started so high up one of the first ladies. As the years go on we slowly see more women bringing attention to women’s equality. They spoke through poetry, sermons, and created education reform. Another thing that stood out to me was the year 1876 to 1879 it says, “Lawyer Belva Ann Lockwood is denied permission to practice before the Supreme Court. She spends three years pushing through legislation that enables women to practice before the Court and becomes the first woman to do so in 1879.” Again I did not recognize the name but what she did is inspiring. She created a huge change. She fought for a position that people would say is a “male job,” She made people recognize women are able to do the same jobs as men AND perform the duties the same or even better.

I watched the Youtube video “Untold Stories of Black Women in the Suffrage Movement” and it was very educational to see the women empowerment with black women while also fighting their discrimination for their race. What I noticed is the timeline we read about facts and changes that happened over time, while in the video we felt more of the emotion. We heard what these women went through, their suffering, and how the inequality impacted the community. As women, we do face inequality but to be a black woman I can’t imagine how women must have felt in the 1800s and 1900s. You have everyone against you as a black woman. I think it’s empowering that the women joined together and created safe spaces. These organizations are, “Headquarters for colored women voters,” “NACW” and the “Alpha Chapter.” In addition, in my classmates’ snapshot, Isabella Celentano shows a picture that says, “girls just wanna have fun-damental human rights.” I liked the message, “girls” are more than delicate, housewives, and like to party. Women are passionate, smart, and driven and deserve all basic human rights as men.