Throughout history, women have always been second class citizens, the lower class of human beings. This essay will be portraying the women's rights movement throughout history. It will explore three main aspects of discrimination for women; politics, work equity, and in sports.
Women have never been considered a strong figure in politics, but on July 13th, 1848, something happened that would slowly change the way the world views women in politics, the women's rights movement was born. Six days later at the "Women's Convention" in Seneca Falls, New York a historic meeting took place that would change the face of history. The convention at Seneca Falls main objective was to battle the discriminations against women. To sign the Declaration of Sentiments, which began, " We hold these truths to be self evident that all men and women are created equal- This Declaration gave way to the women's suffrage movement. That day at Seneca Falls one hundred men and women signed the Declaration of Sentiments, and 72 years later in 1920, the 19th amendment was signed giving women the right to vote. Of the original, one hundred to sign the Declaration of Sentiments only one lived to cast their vote. Before this day women who openly spoke of their dream for equality were seen as feminists, this at that time was not seen as a good thing. One woman portrayed her thoughts on this issue, "I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is. I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat or a prostitute. -- Rebecca West.
After women were given the right to vote in 1920 the struggle for equality in politics continued to improve. In 1928, the Inter-American Commission of Women was created specifically fight for the civil and political rights of women. Though it seemed that women have come a long way since Seneca Falls over a hundred years ago, it was not until 1984 that a woman ran (unsuccessfully) for vice president of the United States.