Her Story
Sriya Vemuri | sept. 24, 2024 | The fall Supplemental
In a time of rising female leaders, women are opening doors to new opportunities. From leading nations to local communities, they can now be seen at the forefront of major roles. While progress is being made, challenges and disparities still persist, making it vital to empower the next generation. At Stanton College Preparatory School, young female students have the potential to be the next leaders of the world. They can be seen starting clubs, achieving top ranks in their classes, and succeeding in extracurricular activities. Some are involved in student government where they can advocate for the school and take initiatives to positively impact the community. Although they hold significant influence, this level of involvement was not always possible.
Historically, women had limited access to education and career opportunities. According to Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, in the past, formal education was limited to wealthy, white men. A lack of education meant they were limited in possible job opportunities. Despite these barriers, they never stopped striving for change. Through their determination, they were able to achieve significant progress as they now comprise roughly half of the United States’ college-educated workforce. The rise in educated women has come with an increase in women at the top of various career fields, such as politics. According to the United Nations, the combined number of women in international parliaments has doubled in the last 25 years. Such advancements show the significant increase in female representation in major careers. This could not have been achieved without joining their voices together and advocating for change. A way women have ensured their voices are heard is with the formation of advocacy groups. These groups play a crucial role in national developments and through their efforts, progress can be made towards equality.
One local feminist group working towards societal change and equality for women is Jacksonville NOW, a chapter of the National Organization for Women. This organization focuses on a range of women's rights issues like racial discrimination, pay equity, and many others. Members in the Jacksonville chapter organize events to educate others, lobby for reform, and support women in the city. Despite these efforts, Jacksonville NOW has observed both progress and setbacks in the fight for equality.
"As much as we have seen women advance, we have also seen us lose so much ground," said Judy Sheklin, Jax NOW chapter leader. “[So we] have to remain vigilant with every right [we have].”
As much as women's roles have advanced, there are still areas where progress has stalled, including the persistent issue of the gender pay gap. According to the United States Department of Labor, jobs where women represent a majority of the workforce tend to have lower wages. The department also reported that on average women tended to be paid less than men in the same occupation. To further delve into the issue, the Department of Labor compared more than 300 occupations and found none where women had an earning advantage over their male counterparts. Gender disparity regarding wages has yet to be resolved and remains a major problem in the workforce today.
Another important area where women's rights are constantly contested is their reproductive health. Legislation regarding abortion rights has notably evolved since the 1970s. According to Congress Annotated, in 1973, the Supreme Court of the United States concluded in the case of Roe v. Wade that the Constitution will protect a woman's decision to have an abortion. However, on June 24, 2022, the case was overruled, giving individual states jurisdiction over abortion laws. These changes have sparked debates on the extent of women’s autonomy and continues to be a conflict nationwide.
"I believe Roe v. Wade diminished the rights of women, as well as their roles in society,” said sophomore Sahasra Aka. “[The government] now feels as though they have the power to put laws on women's bodies [and continue to] take more away from them.”
The effects of these legal changes illustrates the government’s vital role in influencing future developments on women’s rights. Looking ahead, the upcoming 2024 election may have countless impacts on women. Both of the main candidates, former President Donald Trump with the Republican Party and Vice President Kamala Harris with the Democratic Party, have differing views on varying women's issues. Each candidate presents a different vision for women if they were to win. According to former President Trump's campaign, he will oppose late term abortion and support policies advancing prenatal care, access to birth control, and in vitro fertilization. On the other hand, according to the BBC, Vice President Harris has supported the right to abortion, regardless of the length of the pregnancy. Her perspective as a woman gives her a deeper understanding of the challenges women face, enabling her to advocate for change in policies impacting their rights.
"[Harris] brings to the table a lot of skills as, [a former] prosecutor, attorney general, senator, [and now] vice president. Not only is she passionate and educated, she also has experience,” said Sheklin.
Harris’ candidacy sets the stage for female representation in the world of politics. She is an advocate for women's rights shown by her campaign’s emphasis on education and dismantling financial inequalities between genders. As a woman in a position of leadership, her candidacy is a significant milestone in the evolving narrative of women's roles in politics.
"I think [Harris’ presidential candidacy] will open the door for more women and people of color candidates in every government role," said junior Lanie Galer.
Harris’ candidacy in the upcoming general election expands the possibilities for women in office. As a role model, she demonstrates how major roles and positions of leadership are attainable for others similar to her. Harris’ position also reflects a broader change toward greater representation of women in politics.
“As women, I think one of the things we have learned is [we should never be] discouraged,” said Sheklin. “We have gone from having to raise children at [a young age] and not being allowed to [receive] education, to now [being able] to do a whole bunch of different things [and] women such as Kamala Harris can even run for president.”
As the state of women’s rights continues to change, it is important to recognize the ongoing progress accompanied with various impediments. From being denied access to education to taking leading positions in politics, women have come a long way from the past. Although progress has been made, the future for women remains uncertain. It may be full of new opportunities, obstacles, and other endless possibilities ahead.