Young at Heart: Why I Vote

Why I Vote

There shall never be another season of silence until women have the same rights men have on this green earth. – Susan B. Anthony

Today, women can vote worldwide, excepting the Vatican. New Zealand was the fi rst country to give women the right to vote in 1893; Saudi Arabia was the last in 2015. This does not mean, however, that it is always easy for women to vote. In many countries worldwide and, unfortunately, areas closer to home, women experience obstacles to voting including patriarchal systems, religious and cultural barriers, domestic duties, lack of education, lack of access to polling locations as well as harassment or even violence.

Women won the right to vote in this country on Aug. 18, 1920, with the ratifi cation of the 19th amendment — 100 years ago this year and 56 years before I was born.

My mother, Marion, was born in 1950, 30 years after the women’s suff rage movement was successful.

My mother, my sister Kendle and I — none of us have known a world where we were not allowed to vote when we came of age. Neither will my nieces — Kendle’s daughter, Elinor, and my sister-in-law’s daughter, Aria.

The same cannot be said for our grandmothers’ and great-grandmothers’ generations.

My maternal grandmother, Gladys, was born in 1917 (we think… she was very secretive about such things). She was part of the fi rst generation of American women who grew up with the right to vote, and yet, she never did.

“Your grandmother never voted,” shared my mother. “Your grandfather wouldn’t let her.”

While I fi nd the idea laughable that a man, any man, would tell me whether I could vote or even how to cast my vote, this was not uncommon in my grandmother’s generation when women, especially homemakers, were not expected or encouraged to have political opinions of their own.

I was surprised — surprised and disappointed — when my mother shared this information. Even more so by her next revelation.

“And, remember,” said Mummy, “in the 1970s, I wasn’t allowed to open a bank account or buy a car without your dad co-signing.”

“What now? Pause. Rewind!” I thought while wrinkling my face in distaste.

“What if you (a woman) didn’t have a husband?” I asked. Mummy responded that you would have needed a male relative to act as a co-signer.

It is rather disconcerting to consider — really consider — that my mother was not allowed to do some of the things I take for granted. Furthermore, this is not

ancient history — this is less than 50 years ago.

Women’s rights, my rights, is one of the reasons why I vote — one of several.

I vote because… I can.

I acknowledge that as a Caucasian, heterosexual, well-educated woman, my right to vote has never been questioned. I have a job that lets me take advantage of early voting on Saturdays and/or would allow me time off to vote on Election Day. I have a reliable vehicle to take me to my place of polling. In my opinion, to not vote would be lazy and selfi sh.

I vote because… I care.

I care about policies that aff ect women’s rights, education, the environment, underserved and/or marginalized populations, infrastructure, the economy and more. I am not in a position to directly draft policy, but by voting, I try to elect like-minded offi cials.

I vote because… I want to be a good role model for the next generation.

My nephews, Alex and Noah, are already of age to vote. My nieces, Aria and Elinor, will be there soon. I want them know that I vote — that I participate — and to know that they can and should

when the time comes.

I vote because… I’m excited and inspired.

The enthusiasm of the current generation of fi rst-time voters is motivating. I wish I had been engaged and excited when I was voting in my fi rst election cycle (I wish I could remember anything about the fi rst time I voted!). I want them to motivate other voters and hold policymakers accountable.

I vote because… I will not take my right to vote for granted!

Women, and a number of men, fought for women to have the right to vote. Women have since been voting to expand women’s rights and to eliminate the previously mentioned obstacles to voting that women continue to experience. Exercising my right to vote is a way of honoring that legacy and fi ghting for future generations of women.

heather brandon

Considers life to be one big anthropological fi eld experience. She observes and reports. She enjoys travel, food and wine and adventures with her husband, Roger. • Beer and spirits: Jim Beam whiskey (1795), Pabst Brewing Company (1844), Yuengling beer (1829) • Food stuff s: Fig Newtons (1891), Girl Scout Cookies (1917), Juicy Fruit Gum (1893), Marshmallow Fluff (1917), Oreos (1912), Tootsie Rolls (1896), Triscuits (1903), Velveeta (1918) • Major American automakers: Buick (1899), Dodge (1900), GMC (1901), Cadillac (1902), Ford (1903), Chevrolet (1911), Lincoln (1917) • Popular brands: Converse shoes (1917), Harley-Davidson Motorcycles (1903), Kellogg’s (1894), Oscar Mayer (1883), Quaker Oats (1877) • Popular sodas: Cheerwine (1917), Coca-Cola (1892) and Pepsi (1902)

“Nicest person and best quality at great prices.” “Fast and Free Delivery in Town.” “Very experienced - Great Selection.”

Ask About our Student Bundle CHECK OUR REVIEWS 828-297-2991 (Mention this ad)

368-4 HWY 105 BY-PASS, BOONE, NC - bargainbarndiscountmattress.com

2

3

4

love THINGS WE

1. PAINTING Acrylic intuive painng "So Landing" 30x30 by Debbie Arnold is featured along with other painngs, sculpture, poery, jewelry, glass, wood and fiber art by local, and regional arsts at Carlton Gallery. $2800. (828) 963-4288. Find us on Facebook, Instagram,

www.carltongallery.com 2. BEAUTIFUL SMILE Teeth Whitening. Having a beauful smile may be even easier than you think. Many people achieve the

look they’ve been dreaming of with our simple “whitening” procedure. It’s safe, quick, and inexpensive. Gordon Dental Group. www.gordondentalgroup.com 3. JEWELRY Combining sterling or fine silver with more than 140 different gemstones, fossils, meteorites, crystals, ancient stone arfacts and other unusual materials. The Turtle Old Man collecon at Shoppes at Farmers. www.shoppesaarmers.com 4. SABERTOOTH CAT SKULL Hand cast of the actual skull on display at Appalachian Fossil Museum. 14 inches tall. $249.99. McCoy Minerals Inc. (828)-414-9889. www.mccoyminerals.com