Ken Beaton: Today, you’re standing on their shoulders

March is Women’s History Month. The theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” The month of March will recognize women who speak up and are leading change in their fields.

What are some of the important dates to know and the shoulders of women you stand upon today. Who said, “We’re not going to take it anymore,” female textile workers.

One of the worst jobs for your lungs is to work in the textile industry breathing in microscopic particles of fiber or yarn. On March 8, 1857, 167 years ago, in New York City female textile workers had “reached the end of their rope.” They united to have a protest march. What were they protesting against? They protested against, “unfair working conditions and unequal rights for women.”

FYI in those days the bride’s wedding vows were, “to love, honor and obey her husband.” This was one of the first organized strikes by working women. The women’s demands were for a shorter workday and decent wages. What’s the matter with a woman receiving equal pay and decent wages?

FYI in 1857 the workday was 12 hours, and the work week was six days, a 72-hour work week. The only reason why workers were given Sundays off is because the Bible commands “Sunday is a day of rest.” The textile owners and foremen demanded the same respect a person would give to their God. In those days female workers didn’t have any rights.

The Women’s Suffrage Parade in Washington, D.C., on March 13, 1913, was to demand/encourage both houses of the U.S. Congress to pass the 19th Amendment. An interesting story about the vote in the House of Representatives was on the day of the vote a mother called her son who was a member of the House. She strongly encouraged him to vote YES. He did and the 19th Amendment passed the two thirds majority by one vote! The suffragettes politically twisted President Wilson’s arm to sign the 19th Amendment. It became part of the Constitution on Aug. 20, 1920.

OK all of you history buffs, when did the Women’s Movement for equal pay and equal rights begin? If your answer with a big smile on your face was, “The late 1960s or early 1970s,” your answer is wrong.

For America to become the “Arsenal of Democracy,” during World War II with 16 million males serving our country that left a big hole in the workforce. First, employers hired single white women. Next, they hired married white women and married women with a children. Third, more women were needed so single and married African Americans were hired.

I find it interesting that in 2024 corporate decision makers don’t know how to have day care in their workplace. During 1942-45 the corporate decision makers did not have any problems having good day care with meals for all three shifts. You’re probably asking why can’t we have day care in 2024. Have you considered that having day care in 2024 could leave less money for corporate bonuses? Or is corporate day care not important to the decision makers?

During the war, women were earning their own money. Unfortunately, the women were paid less than and sometimes half the wages of a man for doing the same job. Those women who were married didn’t have to ask or beg their husbands for money to run the household, pay the rent, buy groceries, pay for utilities, etc. The seeds for the women’s movement began during the war when 18 million working women had their own paycheck! It’s my money!

Here’s an example from the late 1950s when I was in high school. A male Massachusetts teacher who taught my U.S. history class told us that our city’s school district had four salary schedules. There was an elementary salary schedule for female teachers and an elementary salary schedule for male teachers. Similarly, there was a secondary salary schedule for female teachers and a secondary salary schedule for male teachers. I was told that “elementary school teachers don’t have to do as much work teaching elementary students compared to secondary teachers and male teachers require more money than female teachers.” FYI, Carson City School District has only one salary schedule for all their teachers.

In 1980 President Carter signed a proclamation designating March 2-8, 1980, as Women’s History Week. Women’s History Week is now Women’s History Month. The advantage of women receiving equal rights is everybody’s rights become equal correcting some of the negative actions of the past.

Let me leave you with three extra credit questions, first, what are the colors for Women’s History Month? Purple, green and white were worn at the first WSPU, Women’s Social and Political Union, in 1908 in the U.K. Purple signifies justice, dignity and being loyal to the cause. Green symbolizes hope and white represents purity.

The second question, what harbor did 40 percent of the African captives enter the colonies? The answer is Charleston Harbor in South Carolina. Gadsden’s Wharf with several other wharfs was where the captives were auctioned. After being purchased they were considered “property” and bred similar to livestock.

The International African American Museum in Charleston has a sprawling memorial garden outside with “inside exhibitions telling the dynamic story of the international African American experience.” A single membership is $60 a year. A dual membership is $100 with a family membership at $150.

The third question, was there a woman in Carson City who was part of the Women’s Suffrage movement? Yes, if you press the cross button for the blinking light to cross South Carson Street in front of the Fox Restaurant to the east side of the street, there’s a sign which reads,

“National Vote For Women

Trail Road to 19th Amendment

Felice Cohn

Lawyer and Co-founder Nevada Equal Franchise Society.

Wrote Women Suffrage Bill passed by Legislature 1911,

1913 and by voters 1914.

William G. Pomeroy Foundation 2019”

For all the females who are citizens of the U.S., make sure you register and vote in every primary or general election. Today you stand on the shoulders of brave women who marched, protested and gave their blood, sweat and tears to pass the 19th Amendment 104 years ago, so they could, and you can vote today. You’re standing on their shoulders.