Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Some Open- Door Goddesses To Remember


Let us remember the Goddesses throughout history that paved the way for us. Their contributions to American life, standing on their mothers' shoulders while creating and building foundations that would be unreconized had it not been for their profound impact. They shaped the contours of betterment for America. Sometimes they helped to change its destiny that was orchrestrated, and predominately designed to benefit men. They were expected to be quiet in the churches, work and home, and were prisoners in all aspects of American life.

Since the European settlement in the New World, women have always been prominently involved in the developments and growth for our great nation, but were expected to not have a voice. Actions and circumstances changed throughout time, and opportunities presented itself for the brave to step forward.What resonated within their souls? Was it the injustice that they saw and witnessed? However, some were called witches and were burned and killed for speaking up or out on causes they felt strongly about. No one knows the countless ones that died for challenging the systems that men set forth.How much time and how many lives were actually wasted? All we know of are the few, that have been presented in our history books.

But what and who inspired those few? I am moved to note their great contributions to our American life and culture, as we have come to know of it today. Their courageous efforts should never go unnoticed and should be remembered. Always. They opened doors for many, so that we could have a better life today.

In the weeks ahead, I will highlight these brave and powerful women that some can call Goddess in her own way. I call this, "Goddesses, Voices of the Past ." For they opened doors that were closed, with words they spoke or had written. Words have power : ( note the years in between )1638: Anne Hutchinson, her interpretations of theology challenged its system therefore spoke on it and questioned it.1650: Anne Bradstreet, was the earliest American Poet, published her first poem.1769-70: The Daughters of Liberty Support the Non importation Agreement, for political reform, family life and equal rights.1773: Phillis Wheatley, first book of poems by a Black American.1776: Abigail Adams, expressed, Remember The Ladies, speaking out on equal rights.1790: Judith Sargent Stevens Murray, argued for equal education for women.1792: Mary Wollstonecraft published "Vindication of Rights of Women.1818: Emma Willard, asked Taxpayers to Support the Education of Females.1829: Fanny Wright, is The First Female Public Speaker1833: Prudence Crandall's First School for African-American Girls, also this year, the Female Anti-Slavery Society Of Philadelphia was founded to bring about social change.

During this time abolitionism became an overtly political movement that the American women participated. They gained experience and connections and drew in mobilizing for other causes including their own.Slavery made them aware and conscious of the debilitation of poverty, the injustice of their own position in society.This gave birth to fights for rights of their own. Also this same year, Lydia Maria Child published the first antislavery book in America.The name of it was, "Appeal in favor of that class of Americans called Africans. While today some doors remain closed to women, as promised I will continue to open the doors of this knowledge of women, (Goddesses ) that opened doors that were closed during their time.

1 comment:

  1. Thank you so much for this awe inspiring posts. It makes me so proud to be a woman, a goddess and a mother. It also inspires me to continue to make my mark in history on this earth something memorable so that my family can be proud of the heritage I've given them.

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