To all my ladies out there, I offer a plea to you. Please vote. I know our options for the next leader of the United States are not the best candidates, but you mean to tell me you are not going to vote because (insert some lame excuse here)?

I have spoken with a multitude of my female friends and am floored by the amount (especially of young women) who are not voting. We live in a world where women are ostracized and discriminated against daily. Women are placed in a certain gender role and are forced to conform to that role for fear of beatings and death; and if we stand up for what we believe in (at least occasionally in the United States), we are given the title of “feminist” which is said like a bad word. I gladly accept the title of feminist because at least I stand for something and believe in equality.

The United States of America is one of the few countries in the world where women have unalienable rights and those rights include a voice in the voting realm. You are going to take advantage of that privilege and just not acknowledge it? Um no, bad choice.

The women’s movement for a voice in the United States basically began back in 1776 when Abigail Adams wrote to her husband, Former President John Adams, “remember the women.” Unfortunately, this remark was scoffed at and the Declaration of Independence decided to only say “all men are created equal”. The extent of this phrase is enough to discuss for another article but for our purposes, the statement excluded women from voting rights until about a century and a half later.

It was not until 1920, that the 19^th Amendment was passed to say that women had the right to vote. Eighteen Amendments were passed before this Amendment was ratified and if that does not give you an idea of the lack of acknowledgment given by the man, then I do not know what will. The “cult of domesticity” was overcome, hundreds of women were jailed, peaceful protests were organized, speeches were given, ankles were shown to push clothing barriers and lines were diminished to give women the right to vote.

Come November 8, if it’s not pretty obvious by now, I will be voting as an homage to all of the revolutionary ladies that came before me and to use the voice I am given. Luckily, if you are from Wyoming, you can actually register at the polls, so ladies, there is no excuse! Whether you are “with her” or want to “Make America Great Again” or even side with a third party, make your voice heard. VOTE!