Young Women Voters,

Thank you for asking me here today to speak to you about women's rights. I would like to bring to your attention to how far women have come in the Unite States of America in the last fifty years. More importantly, we have worked extremely hard to gain the respect we have today, but we still have a long way to go to be equivalent to men. Accomplishments n the past have been achieved, but the women of the ninety's want more. In this speech, I want to explain the distance women have come in the past, where they are presently, and how things must change for the future.

Women in the past worked hard to achieve what they have in today's society. In 1919, women won the vote. Congress approved the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which granted women's suffrage. In 1942, eight million women took factory jobs because the men were fighting in World War II. This proved from this point on that women were just as capable as men at performing a "man's" job. After the war ended, women were urged to quit working so there would be more jobs for returning men. In 1973, the Supreme Court ruled in the Case Roe Vs. Wade that women do have the right to an abortion for the first three month of pregnancy. The decision of the court, sparked an ongoing national debate over abortion rights. Women have worked hard, but gained little respect. ( Jackel,12-13)

Presently, Women have accomplished many things, but it's still not enough to prove our independence. In 1981, President Ronald Reagon nominated Sandra Day O'Connor to be the first women Supreme Court Justice. She was confirmed and took oath on September 25. Democratic Presidential Candidate Walter Mondale, in 1984, selected Congress woman Geraldin Feraro the be his Vice Presidential running mate. In 1992, a record number of women were elected to political offices, including Carol Misely Braun, the first black woman U.S. Senator. ( Jackel, 12-13).

There have been many things accomplished, but downfalls occurred during these times also. In 1991, Anita Hill accused Supreme Court Justice nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment. Many women say that Hill's experience proves that women aren't believed when they accused a powerful man of any kind of charge. This just shows that women still have to prove and gain respect from society today. (Jackel, 12-13)

Women presently still have goals to achieve. Today we still lack the respect that men in the same position, no matter what it is, would receive. That was proven by Anita Hill's case. On the average women are 82.6 percent of America's working as waitresses, and receptionist. This percentage is acceptable. Women holding doctor and lawyer positions are , on the average, 13.5 percent of the working force. Although these women work just as hard as a man does, they still earn less than a man. It doesn't matter how many years of education a woman could have, she would still earn less than a man. For example, a woman coming out of a four year college earns about $28,911. A man, on the other hand earns $44,554 coming out of the same college. This fact in itself shows how much harder women are going to have to push for equality in the future. (Buchsbaun, 6-7)

Women in the past worked hard to get where they are today. They are now working even harder for the future of women. I challenge you to make an effort to accomplish and achieve what the women in the future truly desire, equality.

Jackel, Molly. "Long March to Equality." Scholastic Update. 12 March 1993: 12-13

Bushsbaun, Herbert. "Women Have Come a Long Way But Still Have a Long Way to Go." Scholastic Update 12 March 1993: 6-7