Little Women, Big Impact
Throughout the years, women have been constantly defied societal barriers and made a lasting difference in their community, country, and world. March is National Women’s History Month, and we wanted to say ‘kudos’ to those who courageously spent their time towards a cause greater than themselves. Here are three extraordinary women who did just so.
1) Irdira Gandhi (1917-1984): Sometimes the deepest tragedies form you into the person you were destined to be. Irdina Gandi lost her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1964. Though losing your father is a tragic event, his legacy in politics and diplomacy allowed her to be elected into Parliament. However, during her term as a member of parliament, Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri passed away suddenly because of a heart attack. In a sense, fate paved the way for her to be chosen as the next prime minister of India. Her cry to eliminate poverty and solve internal disputes proved as an example that women can lead politics in a well known patriarchal nation.
2) Margaret Fuller (1810-1850): Words have the power to change the world, if in the hands of the right person. Margaret Fuller worked closely with scholars Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau and composed several works based about transcendentalism. She later founded The Dial,a journal devoted to transcendentalism views. During this time, women were not allowed to write and be published – and if somehow this occurred, the work would not be read. Margaret Fuller did not use a pseudonym, or hide her identity in any way; but she was blunt about who she was and sought to continue her aspirations in journalism despite opposition.
3) Jane Addams (1860-1935): When you have a heart for a cause, nothing can stop you from yearning to make an impact for it. Jane Addams was a charitable soul who had a passion for bettering neighborhoods, creating laws to protect children, and showed compassion to all. She created the Hull-House, which offered important services to disadvantaged peoples – such as language classes, cultural activities, childcare, swimming pools, and an employment bureau. Before women’s suffrage was publically advocated, she spoke up and promoted voting rights for women. It’s a cold world out there, but ever so often a kind heart comes along and changes the world. Thank you, Jane Addams.
These women are just like you and me. Most were raised in an ordinary home, received an education, and lived ambitiously. However, ambition was not enough to put them on this list. When an opportunity arose, they took advantage of it. Many were mocked. In their pursuit of their dreams, they lost family and friend connections. They faced unpopularity. They weren’t always recognized or respected for their efforts. Yet they pressed on, because those who believe they are crazy enough to change something are the ones who do. Go out and do something great today.