Last night, as I scrolled through reactions to the election results, I came across a tweet that struck me deeply: “The only thing America hates more than a rapist is a woman.” This election has left me questioning, “What was I made for?” — echoing the title of a Billie Eilish song that captures a sense of searching, loss, and reflection. It’s a question that resonates for so many women who feel diminished in a society that just elected a convicted felon to lead. This isn’t just about one election or even one candidate; it’s about our collective fight for dignity, equality, and the recognition we deserve. And today, I carry that feeling with me as I reflect on what this moment means for all of us.
Yesterday, as a young woman, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude to exercise my right to vote — a right won through relentless struggle by people who came before me, each from a different walk of life, yet united in purpose. For centuries, so many endured violence, discrimination, and exclusion from decision-making in their own lives and societies. The fight for voting rights was not handed down easily but was instead marked by resilience and courage. Women like Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, and Emmeline Pankhurst defied societal norms, facing imprisonment and social isolation to secure this fundamental right.