Making a Difference

“Mother, why can’t we have suffrage like father does?” Elizabeth Walters looked at her inquisitive daughter Rosalyn and wondered how best to answer her child’s queries.

“Dear, sweet Rosalyn,” she sighed and then bent down and wrapped her daughter in a tight hug. “In our country, women currently are not allowed to voice their opinions by casting their own votes. Many women feel they do have a voice because their husbands listen to their opinions and cast their votes for their entire family’s beliefs. But, it’s not enough. By the time you are a grown woman, hopefully things will be much different, and you’ll be able to vote yourself and for your own beliefs. This fight for suffrage will be nothing your children should ever have to worry about.”

Rosalyn watched her mother stand and walk over to the corner of the room. She picked up two wooden signs and brought one to Rosalyn and kept one for herself. The signs had words painted on them. Rosalyn asked her mother what they said.

“‘Women’s Suffrage’ and ‘Everyone Deserves the Right to Vote’ are what I painted on our signs. We will carry these signs as we march in the parade. Your father will be there, too, cheering us on.”

Rosalyn took the smaller of the two signs and held it tightly in her hands. She loved her mother and wanted to please her, but deep down she knew even if her mother hadn’t agreed, Rosalyn would be marching for women’s rights on her own. Her father had taught her, along with her mother, that women should be treated equally and fairly. Rosalyn was not afraid. She was determined.

As Rosalyn and her mother stepped out into the streets and into the line of protestors, Rosalyn felt extremely proud of her parents. She had friends whose parents would not allow them to voice any opinions. Rosalyn knew she was lucky. She smiled to herself as she walked beside her mother.

She stood a little taller as a wonderful thought came to her. Maybe someday a woman might even become president, and it would all be possible because people were willing to help make a difference.