Celebrate current greats during Women’s

COMMENTARY

Women’s History Month is one that can be easily celebrated.

Let’s face it, in the word’s of Aretha Franklin, “Sisters are doin it for themselves!”

Throughout history, women have led the charge in many of the historical times in history.

Just to name a few: Famed New Orleans community leader Leah Chase, Dr. June Jackson Christmas, one of the first African-Americans to graduate from Vassar College, Ida B. Wells, the founder of the NAACP, Novelist Toni Morrison, Supreme Court JusticeRuth Bader Ginsburg, and so many more.

But current women are leading the charge today as well.

Michelle Obama has morphed from the first African-American First Lady to novelist, motivational speaker and activist.

Malala Yousafzai has proven that age is nothing but a number in her efforts to speak out against injustice.

According to draperand kramer.com At the age of 15, Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by the Pakistani Taliban while traveling home from school. The assassination attempt was in retaliation to Yousafzai’s demands that girls receive an equal education to boys.

She survived and went on to become the youngest individual to receive a Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17.

Lilly Ledbetter is another woman who should be celebrated.

According to draperand kramer.com, she is a powerful activist for women’s pay equality. Ledbetter filed suit in 1998 against Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, her former employer, due to being paid significantly less than her male colleagues.

The court went on to rule against her in 2007, claiming the suit had to be brought within six months of the discrimination occurring. She fought back, making the case that she hadn’t discovered the discrepancy until several years later.

Her story caught the attention of Ruth Bader Ginsberg, who helped enact the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, helping employees win pay discrimination claims beyond the six-month period. The act was the first piece of legislation signed into law by President Barack

History Month

Obama in 2009.

Athletics will never be the same because of this next great woman, Serena Williams.

According to bhg.com, Williams, a professional tennis player with 23 Grand Slam singles titles to her name—the last of which she won while pregnant. She currently holds more titles than any other active player, has won four Olympic gold medals, and became the highest-paid female athlete in the world in 2016. She’s spent much of her career advocating for equal treatment of women and women of color within sports, and has been outspoken about the gender pay inequality in athletics.

No story on current prolific women would be complete without paying homage to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

According to bhg.com, After serving as District Attorney of San Francisco, California Attorney General, and United States Senator, Kamala Harris became the

Vice President of the United States in 2021 and is the first female, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to hold the office. After the election in 2020, Harris said “While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last—because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities.”

These women have already made their mark in women’s history, so to all the women reading this, now it’s your turn!

All history is not recorded in books, make your own history by being the best you can be at whatever you do best.

Encourage other women to do the same. Never forget, we are stronger together so let your voice be heard!

The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.

“What current female public figure has influenced you the most? Why?”

Compiled by: Jai’den Smith

Anealia Ryant

Junior Communicative Dis./Psych.

Albany, Ga.

“Michelle Obama because she is the first black first lady in the white house and is very influential. Her famous quote comes to mind, ‘When they go low, we go high’.”

“Oprah

Andrew Anderson Sophomore Criminal Justice Los Angeles, Calif.

“Jhene Aiko because she taught me even though you can’t control your origin, you are the one who can control your destination.”

Taylor Wimberly Sophomore Psychology Cincinnati, Ohio

“Ava DuVernay because she creates films of black history and isn’t afraid to tell the truth about what has happened. She is also the first woman to create a movie that grossed over $100 million.”

Jordan Brown Sophomore Marketing East St. Louis, Ill.

“Jackie Joyner-Kersee has been an influential black woman in my life. Beyond her athletic abilities as one of the greatest Olympic athletes.”

“Jazmine Sullivan because she took a five-year hiatus to take care of her mother. That’s something I would do as I care a lot for my friends and loved ones. She came back stronger and won multiple Grammys and released a record-breaking album.”

Christopher Mannery Sophomore Psychology Jackson, Miss.

“The acting president, Dr. Anthony. She has shown me that bad circumstances do not mean that the entire experience has to be negative. She has stepped into the role of president for Jackson State and rose to the occasion.”

Christian Mannery Sophomore Political Science Jackson, Miss.

“Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown because seeing someone who looks like me. I like the fact that she is not only supporting black people but women of all ages and colors and ethnicities.”

Tyrah Rucker Sophomore Psychology Los Angeles, Calif.

“My female inspiration is Angela Bassett. Throughout all the hate and backlash she has always remained graceful and dignified. Angela Bassett will always be an influential woman to me.”

Joshua Edwards Senior Journalism & Media Studies Tulsa, Okla.

“77th SGA President Madison Cathey. I have seen her put in a lot of work and other people do not see behind the scenes. The things she does behind closed doors match what she does in person so that is something I truly admire.”

Bryson Reems Junior Healthcare Admin. Oakland, Calif.

“Maya Angelou will forever be one I look up to because not only did she use her poetry and writing to give a voice to the silenced but she was civil rights activist with primary focus on paving the way for African-American women.”