Shall we finally eradicate the term “weaker sex”? For generations, women fought to treated as equals. From the 1700s, we had abolitionist, Phillis Wheatley. This former slave educated herself and became known for her writings denouncing slavery. In the 1800s, women assisted enlisted in the Union and Confederate armies as cooks, nurses and in some cases, spies. The 1900s brought along voting rights activist, Susan B. Anthony. She gave women the right to vote in 1920. Alice Paul achieved a victory by getting her sexual discrimination statute passed in the 1964 Voting Rights Act.

In the new millenium, women continued to step up. Several have become influential leaders in our society. Media mogul, Oprah Winfrey maintained her humanitarian efforts in South Africa. Senator, Hillary Clinton emerged as a serious, presidential candidate. She garnered 18 million voters for the Democratic Party. Other powerful women are Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, Beverly Hills attorney and activist, Gloria Allred and former, NAACP (National Association of the Advancement of Colored People) Myrlie-Evers Williams.

Despite their achievements, there are still debates about “same job, equal pay”, NCAA’s Title 19, and sexual discrimination and harassment in the workfplace.

SAME JOB, EQUAL PAY

In 2007, male CEOs earned 15% to 25% more than female CEOs. Similar pay discrepancies are found in government, banking and other areas of employment. Women struggled to earn equal pay for doing the same jobs as men. Years before, Corporate America’s “glass ceiling” kept women from obtaining the top jobs.

TITLE 19

During the 1970s, NCAA Division I and II colleges instituted Title 19. Title 19 provided funding for colleges to women’s athletics. Softball, golf, swimming, track and field, tennis and fencing are just some of the activities financed.

However, Title 19 won’t prevent colleges from cutting women’s programs first. When colleges scramble for money, women’s athletics are susceptible for elimination. Men’s programs are never considered for whatever reason.

SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT

Walmart suffered through this. Restaurant franchises, like Denny’s and Cracker Barrel, suffered through this. For months, NASCAR battled it.

In 2008, sexual discrimination and harassment suits grabbed headlines. A former engineer filed a $225 million lawsuit against racing’s biggest company. She complained that over a five-year period, she endured over 125 incidents of bigotry, harassment and sexual discrimination. Earlier this year, she was fired. Both sides are nowhere at a resolution.

Every year, millions of dollars are rewarded on sexual discrimination and harassment lawsuits. Employers complained that the statutes are too vagues. They complained that any disgruntled and dismissed employee could file a lawsuit. The issue was controversial from its inception in 1964.

Republican candidate, John McCain chose his vice president, Sarah Palin. She served as Alaska’s governor. For historical purpose, she became the first woman nominated for this post.

The American woman won’t settle for a nomination. She won’t settle for being just a Vice President. For generations, she wanted it all. And, she won’t settle for anything less.