What it is to be a Woman

To be a woman might be considered by some to be either a blessing or a curse. The feminine in daily life is often forgotten or left behind in the modern pace of our world. Did you know that the civilizations of old were often matriarchal societies?  These societies placed woman in positions of power and often held them in high regard. In contrast, there have also been societies that have thought of woman as lesser beings. Examples that highlight the often harsh realities that being born a woman can be are seen both in the past and the present. 

One example of woman being considered 'less than' can be viewed through the life of Anne Boleyn, Queen of England from 1533- 1536, and second wife of Henry VIII. Anne Boleyn, albeit she may have been in the highest position as wife of the King, she all the same was not able to protect herself from the dire and painful demise that the King ordered to her. The will of the King for her execution was supported by mass public favor.  Henry VIII grew increasing infuriated when the Queen produced no male heir to follow in his footsteps. Equipped with minimal and false evidence, Henry VIII ordered for the execution of Anne Boleyn on the basis of sexual misconduct and treason. Henry VIII would go on to have his long sought male heir with his next wife Jane Seymour, who he would consider as his "true" wife. The legacy of Anne Boleyn will live on as a true story of a female who did her all for her husband, and yet was not appreciated due to her inability to provide a male heir. 

A current example of another travesty that has affected woman can be witnessed through the One-Child Policy that China has long imposed. The enforced policy that Chinese couples are to only have one child often leaves families with much greater favor for their male children. Through this one-child policy, female infants have experienced greater degrees of abandonment and neglect. This brings into question why does our society prefer males so much more  than females? Are not woman, too, capable? 

Woman are strong enough to give birth and strong enough to rule nations. Being a woman exceeds a mere biological reality. Being a woman connects us with something much deeper than ourselves. Being a woman connects us with the history of all woman. Women were once warriors, and medicine women, and wise women. Women were healers and priestesses, goddesses, and mothers. They were counselors and sages. The rights of woman have never been so great as they are today. Most notably we see female presidents becoming a modern trend. For the future, I hope for a new way of thinking regarding the value of women. God made woman to be so intelligent and so capable and yet woman have been down-trodden throughout time. My vision for a world that honors women begins with honoring all people first.  This can also be applied to people with disabilities and those with other forms of affliction. They, too, have rights and deserve respect. Whether you are female or male, we all deserve to be treated fairly.