Dear sweet girls,
I get it; a trip to the cemetery on Tuesday wasn’t exactly your idea of a fun outing. You were hangry (seriously, we should’ve hit Tim Horton’s beforehand). You were bummed about missing classes. And let’s not even mention the agonizing wait.
But despite your eye rolls, I’m so grateful you came along, even if you didn’t grasp the importance of voting. Honestly, sometimes I don’t either. It’s easy to forget that voting isn’t a universal right and that many people around the globe still fight for it. So, I can see why visiting a gravestone wasn’t at the top of your to-do list.
However, I truly believe that one day, this experience will resonate with you.
As you grow, meet diverse individuals, and gain knowledge, you’ll start to live out the lessons that were once mere words in your textbooks. You’ll witness the disparities faced by people of color, and as biracial young women, you might even encounter these injustices first-hand. You’ll see how the LGBTQ+ community is disrespected and how those with disabilities are often sidelined. The harsh realities of inequity will astound you and tug at your hearts.
Your dad and I are doing our best to instill a sense of awareness in you, whether it’s through volunteering at shelters or joining Pride parades. I didn’t truly comprehend these issues until much later in life, and I hope to give you a head start. One day, as you reflect on these moments, you may roll your eyes (and let’s be real, that’s totally going to happen). But I hope you also understand why they mattered to me and what I wanted you to learn.
So, why did I drag you to the polls and then to Susan B. Anthony’s grave on election day? You might have whined a bit, but it was important. Here’s the thing: I know you’ll face challenges, setbacks, and barriers just for being women. Like every woman I know, you may experience harassment, disrespect, or be underestimated solely due to your gender.
When those moments arise, I want you to remember that day. I want you to recall how you excitedly asked if you could wear a pantsuit to honor Hillary Clinton and how thrilled you were to wear the blazers I found at the thrift store (seriously, why are pantsuits so hard to find for kids?). I want you to remember the joy in our smiles exchanged with other women in their own pantsuits at the polls—members of a sisterhood.
Remember the woman who ran through the line, hand raised, shouting “High fives, everyone!” and how we all laughed and joined in. I hope you think of that beautiful autumn day, with vibrant leaves and a sense of electricity in the air. And yes, you’ll probably remember the name Mary Smyles Butts on a tombstone—let’s just say it gave me a chuckle too.
I want you to remember our kindness when we let a woman with a walker skip ahead of us, even after waiting in line ourselves. That’s what women do; we lift each other up. Remember the woman ahead of us who, despite carrying a full bouquet of flowers, generously gave blossoms to those around her, including you and me.
As we made our way back down the cobblestone path, I want you to recall how we giggled with hope, wondering aloud, “Do you think she can really do it?!” Just to clarify: we didn’t support Secretary Clinton just because she’s a woman; we had plenty of other reasons. But let’s be real, the thought of a woman being president is pretty darn exciting.
The fact that a woman made it this far in the presidential race is thanks to trailblazers like Susan B. Anthony, and we owe her a huge debt of gratitude for our hope and optimism.
Ultimately, I took you to the cemetery to pay homage to the women who paved the way for you. I want you to grasp our past better, which, in turn, will help you understand our future. More immediately, I want you to believe in yourselves. Not just in the possibility of a woman president, but in your own potential as women. I want you to remember that long line of people sharing high-fives, flowers, and kindness in honor of a woman who risked it all for our voices to be heard.
Although Hillary didn’t win, the journey she took is incredibly significant. If a woman could make it this close to the presidency, imagine what you can achieve! That’s worth celebrating and waiting in line for, regardless of the outcome.
Yes, I’m heartbroken that you still live in a world where a woman hasn’t yet become president, and, honestly, the future feels daunting. But we’ve witnessed it together: Women are courageous. Women are resilient. Women lift each other up. Susan and Hillary didn’t give up, and neither will we. If not this year, then another. We’ll fight together for that future.
I brought you to the cemetery so you’ll always remember that one woman can change the world. Her name is Susan. Her name is Hillary. And her name is yours too.
Love,
Mama
In summary, the author takes her daughters to honor Susan B. Anthony, hoping to instill in them an understanding of women’s history and the importance of voting. Through the experience, she emphasizes the value of kindness, support, and resilience among women, encouraging her daughters to believe in their potential, especially in the face of challenges.