Inspiring Women
The Women’s suffrage movement was a decade long fight for women to have the right to vote. In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott invited a group of abolitionist activists to gather in Seneca Falls, New York to discuss the lack of women’s rights.
Following in 1908, thousands of women marched the streets of New York City protesting working conditions and demanding voting rights after decades of oppression and inequality. Two years later, Clara Zetkin proposed the idea for International Women’s Day at an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. International Women’s Day was first celebrated on March 19, 1911.
Declared an official holiday in the United States on March 8, 1975, today International Women’s Day is celebrated annually worldwide. A celebration of the cultural, economical, political and social achievements of women and girls. Rallying for equality and women’s rights while recognizing the significant contributions women have made in society.
Let us say their names and recognize the women who came before us; who walk beside us, with dignity and respect. Let us say their names and honor their legacies they have left behind fighting for the rights we have today.
Ada - Born Augusta Ada Byron, Ada Lovelace was an English mathematician who is credited as one of the first computer programmers. At the age of 17, Ada teamed up with mentor, fellow mathematician and inventor, Charles Babbage. Ada was able to code the text of Babbage’s difference engine, allowing to handle more complex calculations, while also add her own ideas into the machine. Her skills in mathematical algorithms and analytical engineering got her notes published in an English science journal in 1843 under the publication initials A.A.L.
Ada is a name of German origin meaning “noble”, derived from the name Adelaide.
Betty - Betty Friedan co-founded the National Organization for Women 1n 1966 authoring their mission statement, “to bring women full participation in the mainstream of American society now, exercising all of the privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership with men”. The organizations first action was to demand Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforced by provisions of the Title VII. Betty also co-founded the National Abortion Rights Action League Pro-choice America.
Betty is of Hebrew origin meaning “pledged to God”. Betty is a diminutive of Elizabeth.
Edith - Edith Jessie Archibald was one of Nova Scotia’s leading suffragettes. She led the 1917 delegation of women to the legislature convincing Nova Scotia leader George Henry Murray not to block the suffrage bill. The legislature granted this right in 1918. Edith Jessie was also president of the Local Council of Women Of Halifax, a leader in the Victorian Order of Nurses and vice president of Nova Scotia’s Red Cross.
Edith is of English origin meaning “prosperous in war”.
Emmeline - British political activist, Emmeline Pankhurst was a prominent figure in the women’s suffrage movement. She founded the Women’s Social and Political Union in 1903 and called a halt to militant activities, in support of the British governments stand against the “German Peril” during WW1.
Emmeline is the French form of the German originated name Amal meaning “hardworking”.
Emily - Another member of the W.S.P.U was Emily Davidson. Her passion for winning women the vote took radical extremes when she chained herself to the House of Parliament in protest and embarked on a multitude of hunger strikes.
Emily is of Latin origin meaning “rival”.
Florence - The founder of modern day nursing, Florence Nightingale started it all in the late 1800’s paving the way for modern medicine. Florence showcased world leadership during the Crimean War, organizing care for the wounded soldiers. The Florence Nightingale Medal was instituted in 1920. Only 1,512 nurses has received this highest international honor.
Florence is also of Latin origins meaning “flourishing, prosperous”.
Ida - Ida Bell Wells-Barnett, better known as Ida. B Wells, was an African-American activist, journalist and teacher who led the anti-lynching crusade, reporting horrific violence against African-Americans in the U.S. Ida later joined the National Equal Rights League, creating the first African-American kindergarten in her community. She was also the founder of the National Association of Colored Women’s Club, which was created to address issues dealing with civil rights and women’s suffrage.
Ida is of German origin meaning “industrious one”.
Jane - ‘The mother of social work”, Jane Addams pioneered the field with her activism during the women’s suffrage movement, providing social services and education to working class immigrants and laborers.
Jane is of English origin meaning “God is Gracious”. Jane is the feminine form of John.
Josephine - Victorian social reformer Josephine Elizabeth Butler campaigned for women’s suffrage, the right for women to have a better education, to eliminate childhood prostitution and terminate human trafficking of young women and children.
Josephine is the feminine form of Joseph. The name Josephine is of French origin meaning “Jehovah shall grow or increase.
Marie - Doctor Marie Stopes was a pioneer in family planning. Sparking a revolution Marie founded the first birth control clinic in Britain.
Marie is of French origins meaning “star of the sea”. Marie is also a variant of the Latin name Mary.
Millicent - Born in 1847, Millicent Fawcett was one of the first women to attend a suffrage meeting in the UK and went on to become the President of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies.
Millicent is of Old French origins meaning “brave strength”.
Rose - The phrase “Bread and Roses” was coined by Rose Schneiderman while fighting for women’s suffrage. “What the woman who labours wants is the right to live, not simply exist- the right to life as the rich woman has the right to life, and the sun and music and art. You have nothing that the humblest worker has not a right to have also. The worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too. Help, you women of privilege, give her the ballot to fight with”.
Rose is a name of Latin origin meaning “flower”. There is also evidence to suggest Rose is a Norman variation of the German name Hrodohaidis meaning “famous type”.
Sojourner - Born Isabella Baumfree, Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in 1797, and later escaped with her infant daughter Sophia in 1826. After learning her son Peter had been illegally sold, Sojourner took the issue to court and won. Making her the first African American woman to win such a case against a white man. She became one of the most powerful civil, equal and women’s rights activists in history, known for her speech, “Ain’t I A Woman?”.
Sojourner is of French origin meaning “to stay a while”.
Susan - Susan B. Anthony was an American women’s rights activist whom played a vital role in the women’s suffrage movement, advocating for equal rights for women and African Americans.
Susan is of Hebrew origins meaning “lily”.