"IF YOU BREAK FAITH WITH US... "

We know it isn't Memorial Day but Women really don't have one National or International Day that commemorates those who carried on the struggle for our equality and reproductive rights so bravely.  Every day something reminds us of these women, like the following post from a subscriber:

We've lost most if not all of the women who struggled to get us the right to vote.  Everyday, more women die who lived in "the horror and dangerous situations that existed before Roe v. Wade."  Too soon there will be no one who remembers those terrible times.

And what of all the countless women, faceless and voiceless, throughout the world and throughout the ages?  Those who died in childbirth leaving young children when birth control could have spared them?  Those who died in agony when an abortion could have saved them?  Those who were murdered for protesting the cruel and inhuman dictates of men's religious beliefs, and those who more recently were murdered in our Clinics by religious zealots?

All countries have set aside special days to honor WAR dead and we teach our young children about their valor and their contributions to our freedom.  What do these same schools teach young children about the sacrifices and bravery of the honored dead in our Women's Movement?  These women have been given no special day or flower for remembrance by any people or government.

Our Gender has not arrived yet as a political force that can demand that our country recognize and honor these women.  However, WE can celebrate their lives on every day that we enjoy the freedom they won for us.  In addition, we do have SPECIAL DAYS where we are able to show our appreciation.  This year in the U.S.A., "Primaries," "Town Meetings," or "Caucuses" are held in each state and "Elections" will come in November.

Certainly nothing else will so honor the lives of these women then that WE USE OUR POWER OF THE BALLOT TO CONTINUE THE FREEDOM THEY WON FOR US.  If we teach this to our children, our parents, our friends and relations, we will assure that every Election Day all over the world is The Woman's Movement's Memorial Day.

In the general scheme of things it probably matters little (to those who devalue women) if a few women die when a late term abortion could have saved them, but we must remember that MORE is at risk here -- WOMEN'S FREEDOM.  Abolition of late term abortions is only a first step, then will come the reversing of Roe v. Wade.  From there a short hop to outlawing all birth control.  The battle is just beginning.

Some of you may have heard the poem, In Flanders Fields, when you were in school, along with, America's Answer.  The words (used below) are particularly apropos as a charge made to us from women in our past, and our response to that charge.  The original poems may be seen in full at the accompanying URL.

The Constitution certified freedom and equality to men.  No major political party urges that it be overthrown.

The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves.  No major political party urges that it be overthrown.

The Roe v. Wade Decision IS the Emancipation Proclamation for WOMEN.  The Republican Party and every Republican candidate for President has vowed to overthrow it.

twanda@together.net  

2000-008

Copyright 2000 Renee T. Louise and Ruth M. Sprague, Ph.D. These articles may be republished for noncommercial use only, provided that they are copied intact, and that this copyright notice is attached. Address all queries to: twanda@together.net.

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