Twenty years ago, I put up a curtain in my cubicle for privacy. It seemed like such a small thing—an attempt to create a space where I could focus and work more comfortably. But soon after, a woman from the facilities team came by and asked me to take it down. First, I resisted, but she was holding her ground. Finally, she looked at me intently and said something I have never forgotten:
“Rights can be
given, and rights can be taken away.”
She went on to share her own powerful and moving story.
Twenty + years before
that moment, she had marched in protests for women’s rights. She had endured
insults, had things thrown at her, and had been called vile names—all for
fighting for something we now take for granted: a woman’s right to own a home
and have access to credit without a male cosigner.
Her words stopped me in my tracks. I had never truly
considered the fragility of the rights I had been fortunate enough to grow up
with. The ability to own property, to have financial independence, to work in a
male-dominated industry—these weren’t always guaranteed. They were fought for,
and they were won, but as history has shown time and again, they can also be
lost.
The Fight is Never Over
Women’s rights have come a long way, but they remain under
constant threat. Laws change. Attitudes shift. And too often, people assume
that progress is a straight line forward when history is full of steps forward
and backward. The past few years have demonstrated this all too clearly—whether
it’s access to healthcare, workplace protections, or economic opportunities,
the battles that generations before us fought are resurfacing in new forms.
When we forget the struggles of the past, we risk repeating
them. That woman from facilities had lived through an era where women had to
fight for basic financial autonomy. Today, new challenges arise—unequal pay,
workplace discrimination, threats to medical decisions—but the principle
remains the same: no right is permanent unless we continue to defend it.
What Can We Do?
1. Educate and Remember
History is our greatest teacher. Understanding the struggles
of those who came before us—whether it’s the suffragettes, the women’s
liberation movement, or modern-day activists—reminds us that rights are not
granted out of goodwill; they are won through persistence and collective
action.
2. Speak Up and Challenge Inequality
Just as that woman reminded me of the fight she endured, we
must remind others that equality is not a given. If you see injustice—whether
it’s in the workplace, in legislation, or in everyday life—call it out.
Complacency is the enemy of progress.
3. Support Organizations Protecting Women’s Rights
Whether it’s through donations, volunteering, or advocacy,
supporting groups that fight for women’s rights ensures that those battles
continue to be fought. Organizations focused on legal protection, economic
empowerment, and policy change are crucial in keeping our rights intact.
4. Empower the Next Generation
The rights we enjoy today came from the sacrifices of past
generations. It’s our responsibility to ensure that future generations not only
maintain those rights but expand them. Mentorship, education, and leadership
opportunities for young women help pave the way for continued progress.
The conversation I had that day with Cathie in my cubicle
stayed with me because it was a wake-up call. I had assumed that my rights were
permanent, but the truth is, no progress is ever truly secure.
We must remain vigilant. We must continue to advocate. And
most importantly, we must never take for granted the rights that were hard-won
by those who came before us.
Because if history has taught us anything, it’s that rights
can be given—but they can also be taken away.
Happy Thursday all,
-srt
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