Civil_Rights-_1st_Person_Perspective

To whom this may concern, I am a 30 year old women living in Washington State, facing many difficulties. On a daily basis I am rejected and devalued. Whether it's focusing on my job, owning land, or my role in politics (or lack of one). These rules are starting to restrict every single choice I make, or action I take. My female ancestors had no trouble earning their own living by becoming seamstresses, or housewives. However, some of them worked in professions available mostly to men. Back then there were a large majority of women doctors, lawyers, teachers, writers, preachers and singers. When I was born in 1920, I was born into a world of sexism. It seems as if every year I am alive, discrimination toward women increases. As of now, I am unemployed and I stay home with my children. My main job every day is to keep my home looking nice as well as keeping myself well-groomed for when my husband returns from his day at work. I am desperately trying to work in the business of medicine- it has been my dream ever since I was little. However, I am turned down immediately as soon as I walk into the building simply because I am female. Since 1900 the law for land ownership for women has been 'as long as you are married, you have substantial control over your own property'. When I turned 19, I was sent out on my own by my mother and father. It was impossible to find a place to live since I was single and unmarried. I ended up living with family and helping out with cleaning as my way of paying "rent". I was very capable of paying for my own land because of my job as an assistant seamstress (which paid very minimally), but because of the Property Rights Law I was not allowed. Everything would have gone a lot smoother and easier if I could have been qualified to own my own land and live there freely! Future generations should not have to struggle with that ridiculous law. When I was little I remember how once every four years when it came time to vote, my mother would be extremely upset. I never understood why until I was 18 years old. To me, voting is a way to feel important, and a way to voice your opinion. For my mother, who up until 1920 wasn't allowed to, I can imagine how frustrating that must have been. Now we are still facing the fact that women have very minimal political roles. Thirty four years ago Jeannette Rankin was elected to be a member of the United States House of Representatives. It's extremely sad that she was the first women ever to be a member, in all of America's history. About 18 years ago in 1932, Hattie Caraway was appointed and elected to be part of the U.S. Senate. Women are hoping and praying that because of her election, it will allow us to advance in the world of politics. Living as a middle aged woman in America definitely isn't fair, nor fun. Obstacles to live a life of equality are thrown at you each and every day. Things are in desperate need of change or they will just continue to get worse as the years go on. I hope that when my daughters reach an older age, they are living a life of equal opportunity for both males and females. But as of now, that life is only a mere dream. Thank you