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Ponder Pond is a place to stop and take a break ... and think about things that are a little bigger than most thoughts. Have you been pondering? Send us your thoughts.

What Is Your History as a Woman?
By Wendy Stevens
Women have made great strides during the 20th century. It has only been in this century that we have achieved very basic equality, such as the right to vote. Do you realize when your grandmother or great-grandmother lived, she did not have the right to vote, keep custody of her children, or own property? We are very very young in our culture as women.

If we think with our own minds, and are confident in our feelings and our actions ... we can make history! Below are some major strides women have made in the last 100 years, which isn't a long time. 100 years ago was when your great-grandmother, or great-great grandmother was alive:

Women's Right to Vote
Isn't she that lady on the nickel? Yes, but why is she on one of America's coins? Susan B. Anthony was an important part of the Woman's Suffrage Susan became a teacher at age 15 in her local schoolhouse, and she started fighting for women's freedom at age 28! Did you know she also worked to combat slavery in America? Susan achieved an unbelievable amount of positive change in her life that effected our entire country!

Do you realize when your grandmother or great-grandmother lived, she did not have the right to vote, keep custody of her children, or own property?

Before women gained the right to vote, Susan defiantly registered and cast a ballot in the 1872 presidential election. Because of her behavior, she was arrested and convicted for trying to vote, and she also refused to pay the $100 fine!

Did you know that women were the first group to picket the White House? Women were the first group of people to stand outside the White House with signs that stated what we wanted. What was scandalous then became a time honored tactic for many groups fighting for a cause.*

Women's Ability to Own Property | Women's Ability to Sign a Contract
Women remained single because married women could not own property in their own right, and could not make legal contracts on their own behalf!*

Child Custody
In the early 1800s, most U.S. states did not allow women custody of their own children. The law considered that children 'belonged' to the husband.*

Idealized poster of Inez Milholland Boissevain produced and circulated by the National Woman’s Party after her death. The poster uses the familiar colors purple, white, and gold, and the motto "Forward Into Light."*

Women have long been fighting for our rights as equals. Women such as Inez were laughed at by men, called names and had things thrown at them. And yet time and time again, women came out of their kitchens to ride their horses in women's marches, parades, pickets and strikes. We have come a long way in earning our basic civil rights, what more could we do in today's world? Below are a few ideas:

(this contest is over)
Enter our 'Women in History Contest', and win a complete set of Beneath the Leaf Fairies, Nilli, Nishi and Lici!

Enough about what we couldn't do, let's think about what we can do moving forward as women! If you could make a positive change in your country, what would you fight for?

Cruelty Law
Any person that makes fun of another person poofs into thin air ... until they decide they weren't being nice, and they are allowed to re-appear after you accept their apology.

Fairness Law
The right to attend any school that you choose, regardless of financial wealth, race, color, religion. (Women in Afghanistan were not allowed to attend school under the rule of the Taliban - imagine that!)

Earth Law
Any person caught littering will be forced to manage and clean up your school trash for one full week!

Big Girl Laws:
   a) Equal pay laws. The IRS should require that corporations give three examples of women being paid the same salary as a man in the same position. We don't have to inspect all of their information, just make them present three good and real examples to make sure they are monitoring their own fairness!
   b) Stay at home laws. Currently, federal law allows women who have babies to stay at home for 12 weeks. This is called the Family Medical Leave Act. The company does not have to pay her during this time. How long do you think your Mother should be able to stay home with a baby?
   c) The right to stay in the hospital for as long as needed after giving birth to a baby. Health companies want to keep their expenses down. One of the things they can do is get new mothers out of the hospital as soon as possible.

ENTER THE CONTEST - Ends 12/31/04
fairies ushi and nishi There are many things we can improve on in the world today for women. Keep up the good work, and don't ever give up hope that tomorrow will always be brighter!

First, get your parent or guardian's permission to enter the contest. Next, send your positive light law wishes by e-mail to historian@gardenplum.com. Include your name only, if you win the contest you will be contacted for a mailing address. That's it, you have entered the contest! Enter as many times as you like!

* Source: National Women's History Museum