Angelica Moreno

As many people may know, back in the day females didn’t have their rights respected. It took time and dedication to fight against that. Women’s future changed. They were allowed to vote at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Between the nineteen-nineteens and the nineteen-twenties, it was when it all officially began. I openly thank all women that fought with great power and strength because thanks to them, now I have a voice and vote that will be respected.

In my family it is obvious that there is a woman that is part of it. And it is vital that there is or will be a woman that has voted in at least most families. In my family, my oldest sister is the first female that has voted on my dad’s side. On my mom’s side, I would be the first female to vote in my family. My sister had a hard life just like any human. There were ups and downs. Today I admire my sister for what she has inspired me to do.

My sister’s name is Maria Luisa Moreno. She was born on November 27, 1998. She is currently thirty years old. She voted as soon as she turned twenty-one. She has been voting ever since. She is called by her second name. Growing up was hard. At age twelve, she was living with my dad and my other two sisters. That might seem normal but there was something different. My dad was a single father with his twelve-year-old (Luisa), nine year old (Sandra), and seven year old (Selena) daughters. Luisa had to learn how to care for Sandra and Selena. The hard part was caring for Selena. She was born with a cleft palate. She had several surgeries growing up. While my dad worked Luisa had to take care of them.

Luisa has graduated from college from Texas A&M earning her Bachelor of Arts and Sociology. She also got a Master’s in Science- Administration and Community Practice by attending The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; that college is also known as UTRGV. She had taken several breaks to care for her own son and daughter. The important thing is that she never gave up. I see her as my role model. She has inspired me in different ways for many things.

Before 1903, the women rights were not valued and respected. According to history, the women back then were discriminated against. They did not have any option to do anything. They were not allowed to work nor to vote. It all changed in 1903, when Emmeline Pankhurst had a life-changing idea that would benefit all girls and women in general. She decided to create, which she did, the Women’s Social and Political Union. She fought with the help of other ladies. They all joined forces and defended women’s rights. All the ladies did agree in one thing. They agreed in that women should have a voice. Also, they deserved to have their thoughts and desires heard.

Around 1850’s, three ladies teamed up together to get a voice and to do the American women’s suffrage movement. The meeting had become a polite Victorian event. Several of the weapons supplied were being used up on people that agreed with the movement. One day, on October 10,1903, many women met in Emmeline Pankhurst’s home. The purpose of that meeting was to advance their cause faster. Thus, the organization, the Women’s Social and Political Union (which is also known as W. S. P. U.) was established. After the movement got strongly pushed and acknowledged, many women took the opportunities and started working and studying. Some women just just focused on one thing while other ladies focused on many.

One important lady, Abigail Adams, the second First Lady of the United States, strongly advocated for women’s rights but especially the right to get educated.

A lady that formed and joined the suffragettes was Carrie Chapman Catt. She and her action in general surprised me. The reasons were that once the Women’s Social and Political Union came to be, she got to demonstrate her thoughts. Also, she got to develop what she wanted to be. Carrie Chapman Catt was an American who was born in 1859. Before she became part of the women’s suffrage, she was working as a teacher. In Iowa, she later became the superintendent. She also turns out to be the president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (also known as N. A. W. S. A.). Carrie Chapman Catt was the president for four years. She served from 1900 to 1904. Years later, she became the president again. This time, she was the leader for five years. The years were from 1915 to 1920. She also devised the Winning Plan. This took place in 1916, and would help to secure the vote. Carrie Chapman Catt was also the founder of the League of Women Voters. This took place in 1920. Carrie Chapman Catt passed away in 1947. She really inspired me by being multiple things or doing different types of jobs.
 

Since I’m going to be the first female to vote from my mom’s side, I am honestly nervous and it’s kind of nerve wrecking. I hope that my sister’s tips will help me. I think I’ll be fine in taking my decisions on voting. Since I will be thinking wisely, that includes not only what is good for me but also what benefits my community. That also includes my family my surroundings and people in general. As I have said, I’ll follow my sister’s steps and tips to see what is better. We might have different opinions on one person but at the end, I will try my best to acknowledge who deserves my vote.

In summation, I thank all the ladies that fought for us women. Nowadays, we have a freedom to express our thoughts, feelings, and opinions through votes. Some examples are as selecting a president, governor, etc. I strongly thank my sister for giving me this knowledge and for giving me something to follow. She is my role model. I strongly look forward to my voting year.