Today is International Women’s Day. OTR celebrates this auspicious moment with America’s Women: 400 Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates, and Heroines by Gail Collins. This book lives up to its title with page turning narratives that commemorates the achievements of American women over four centuries.
“If women want any rights more than they’s got, why don’t they just take them, and not be talking about it.”
Sojourner Truth
Most history books, by and large, are based on a male’s perspective. Indeed, history gives us women of influence such as Cleopatra, Elizabeth I, Marie Antoinette, Queen Isabella of Spain, and Catherine the Great. There are devout women such as Teresa of Avila and St. Joan of Arc. And we had our share of women warriors like Boudicca and Zenobia. Yet, the history of women is far richer and grander than the sum of famous personalities. It is a story of mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends who have passed on knowledge and experience from generation to generation to sustain family life. Women were central to society and were the building blocks for communities and civilizations.
America’s Women: 400 Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates, and Heroines weaves the story of women of many races and ethnicities, rich and poor, young and old, urban and rural, slave and slave-owner. I felt the range of emotions, from anger, to indignation, to joy and celebration. Most of all, I felt pride for what women have accomplished, together. We stand on the shoulders of giants.
“The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls.”
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
On The Road Book Club 
This is a good one! I’m going to buy the book. I think I need it.
LikeLike
You will enjoy it immensely. It was exactly what I needed at the time I read it. The stories gave me a connection with the past so that I knew that I was part of the movement forward. These women were remarkable simply because they chose to participate.
LikeLike
What a valuable post. I was just thinking today of the great heritage that I enjoy because my mother was who she was–not afraid to share her wisdom in a kind and loving way.
LikeLike
I can say the same thing!!! Many others could too…
“All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”
― Abraham Lincoln
LikeLike
Sounds like a fascinating read! Thank you Rebecca~
LikeLike
You would love it!!!
LikeLike
I love what Sojourner said, she spoke the truth! (bad joke). How are you celebrating? My gif and I went to the Chanel counter to get our makeup done. Not very activist of us, I admit!
LikeLike
Actually, I think it is!! A century ago, we would take a whole day just to do laundry!!
LikeLike