Compositions & Coffee Presents: "Creative Soul Digest"
Mindful Movement Monday
Happy Monday Everyone! It’s Women’s History Month and today is International Women’s Day. Women’s History Month was created in order to honor the vital role women have played in American history. International Women’s Day is a global dedication to the political, social, cultural and economic achievements of women worldwide. It’s nice to have a month to highlight women that have paved the way for others. However, WE RUN THE WORLD! Everyday all day women are setting the tone, making a difference, maintaining the race, uplifting a man who gets all the credit, raising babies…I can go on and on. So, yes, the achievements are nice to highlight but here at Creative Soul Digest we will be doing things a little different. We, of course, will talk a little history but will use this space to highlight growth, changes, amazing platforms that are women centered, our faves, and all the baddies out there in all industries.
For this first Mindful Movement Monday we will look at the history of the Women’s Suffrage Movement and then Women’s March.
Women’s Suffrage Movement
Most of us learned about this movement in school so I won’t do a full recap (because this ain’t history class).
1. The US suffrage movement had roots in the abolition movement
a. Many of the early activists began the cause after involvement in the abolition movement
and following speaking opportunities such as with the American Anti-Slavery Society
(AASS). Prominent members were Angelica Grimke, Lucretia Mott, Sarah Grimke, Harriet
Beecher Stowe and Sojourner Truth with her iconic speech 'Ain’t I A Woman'.
2. Following the Civil War many abolitionists and women’s rights activists parted ways over
woman’s suffrage movement
a. Even though many women were involved in the abolition movement when advocating for
women’s rights such as rights to education, employment, equality within marriage, and
rights to vote members of the abolitionist movement stated it was “the negroes hour” and the
women’s suffrage could wait.
3. The women’s right’s movement launched its own fashion
a. A new look emerged in 1851, the knee-length skirt with full Turkish tyle pantaloons
gathered at the ankle. This new trend urged women to shed their heavy, bulky hoop skirts
for this new style. It traded the discomfort of the previous look to something more
conventional that would easily get women through doorways and onto carriages and trains.
This trend ultimately aided in the early fashion rebellion which would help women claim the
freedom to wear what they wanted.
4. A woman ran for political office nearly 50 years before women had the right to vote
a. Victoria Woodhull was nominated for president in 1872 by the Equal Rights Party. She
ended up spending election day in jail after publishing an article that accused a popular
preacher of adultery ending her political career.
5. Britain’s Women’s suffrage movement was far more militant than the US
a. British activists were deemed more militant with protests in the streets, heckling
politicians, chaining themselves to buildings, planting explosive devices, and other
destructive activities. All of this was done to pressure the government to give women the
right to vote. Over 1000 members were imprisoned. You’d think this would have moved
things along faster but it wasn’t until WWI and women’s contribution to war efforts that
rights were granted to women…over 30.
6. Women’s suffrage may have had roots in the abolition movement but they quickly abandoned
ship to push their agenda
a. Some allied with racists southerners who felt white women’s votes could be used to
neutralize those cast by blacks
b. As the movement pushed forward white women’s rights was the voice that rang
neglecting that of black women since the likelihood of equal rights seemed more successful
if they left out black women and clung tight to white supremacy
Nevertheless in 1920 the 19th amendment was ratified allowing women the right to vote. Over 8 million women across the United States voted in elections for the first time. There will always be a divide somewhere family (usually involving race and the color of our skin) however, we still find ways to come together and 2020 was a perfect example of that. We fight one cause at a time. Let’s roll into the Women’s March.
Women’s March
This march took place on January 21st of 2017 as a stand against President Donald Trump and his offensive statements about and against women. To date it’s been the largest single-day protest in US history. It took place in cities all over the US ( Washington DC, New York City, Los Angeles, Utah, Boston, San Francisco, Florida, Idaho, Nashville, New Orleans) and across the water in London and Paris, France. The main march in Washington drew over 470,000 people and between 3-5 million in the US all together. The purpose and principle behind the Women’s March is, “to produce an intersectional platform representing a new understanding of the connected nature of our struggles and a vision of our collective liberation. Creating a society in which women, including black women, indigenous women, poor women, immigrant women, disabled women, Jewish women, Muslim women, Latinx women, Asian and Pacific Islander women, lesbian, bi, queer and trans women- are free and able to care for and nurture their families, however they are formed, in safe and healthy environments free from structural impediments.” This was evident in the march in January where we saw such diversity in groups of people coming together to take a stand and put the administration and world on notice. The marchers advocated for policies regarding human rights issues such women’s rights, immigration reform, healthcare reform, disability reform, reproductive rights, environmental changes, LGBTQ+ rights, racial equality, freedom of religion, and worker’s rights. An extensive list but all necessary and needed NOW. We all know when women come together we are powerful and such was the March! So many leaders and celebrities were present that day I have the pictures below to prove it. The Women’s March has multiple chapters and is affiliated with Youth Empower. I’ll leave the info below so you can find out more information, donate, or/and join.
I wanted to do a brief history of what we’ve accomplished as women standing to fight together and to be counted. Trust me there’s so much more we’ve done and continue to do but I wanted to at least start here because the Suffrage Movement and the Women’s March are important moments to shed light one. I’ve got plenty more coming this week so stay tuned. Check out the recommendations and link below and I’ll see you back here tomorrow! Much love…
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