If a time machine could connect us with the woman who spent her entire life battling for women’s rights, and (successfully) for the freeing of the slaves, what questions would modern women ask Susan B. Anthony via her new-fangled Vlog? I believe Ms Anthony would be gratified to know that women now own property, have the vote and are on the way to equal pay for equal work – thanks in large part to her efforts. It’s difficult for our minds to conceive of the life women had in Susan B. Anthony’s day. Surely she will welcome questions from her great-great granddaughters in equality, and she’ll be keen to see what we’ve accomplished with our freedoms! Let’s watch as they share what is closest to their hearts, and seek advice from this wise woman.
Make up and hair questions, really ladies? Ms Anthony probably feels that devoting her life to your equality was time better spent crocheting buggy covers. In her day ‘a smoky eye’ was not a good thing – and there was only one way to achieve it. Ms Anthony may guide you to the perfect protest ensemble, and don’t be afraid to offer her some beauty tips too…If you must. She might have changed her hairstyle if she’d known it would appear on a coin in 1979 – probably not.
To be serious for a moment, when women run from the word ‘feminist’ and Limbaugh types claim women want more than their due. Remember the words of Susan B. Anthony.
“I do not demand equal pay for any women save those who do equal work in value. Scorn to be coddled by our employers, make them understand that you are in their service as workers not as women.”
Susan B. Anthony
The motto of her publication ‘The Revolution says it all:
“Men their right, and nothing more; women their rights, and nothing less.”
In other words, this chick didn’t have time for makeup and hair; and if you want to do great things, maybe you don’t either…But a little lipstick never hurts. ; )