According to Google, Feminism means the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men. Feminism has become stronger throughout time, and many female celebrities support female rights very thoroughly.

Some celebrities that are active feminists are Emma Watson, Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce, and Malala Yousafzai. Some books have even been made about the topic such as “The Feminine Mystique” by Betty Friedan.  Even today, women’s rights continue to be a struggle for equality.  Unfortunately, for International Women’s day on March 8, MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate failed to celebrate the day in any memorable way.  

For International Women’s Day, I believe we could have minimally acknowledged the date in any number of ways.  The school maybe could have hosted an event, an assembly, or at least made an informational announcement.  Every year, March 8 is an international celebration of the economic, social, cultural, and political achievements of women.

I believe feminism is very important because, yes, women’s rights have improved as time went on.  Women in America can vote, are no longer given away as property, yet women don’t get paid as much as men, often for the same work.

On average, women get 79 cents for every dollar a male earns. The pay gap has narrowed since the 1970’s, but it is still unfair for those women who work as hard, or sometimes, twice as hard, as their male counterparts.  The pay gap is worse for women of color, mothers, and as women increase in age the pay gap worsens as well.

According to aauw.org, in every occupation there is a pay gap for women, and at the rate the gap has narrowed, it won’t close in for more than 100 years.  There is nothing that can close the pay gap at the individual level; women with more education can increase their pay but it will never really close the gap unless and until society makes it a priority.  

Now more than ever women feel as if they can do anything they set their mind to. We have also accomplished many achievements such as going to outer space, holding seats in congress and the senate, competing in the Olympics, and becoming amazing writers and performers.  However, all those feats came because women have fought for the opportunities.  The fight is still not yet done.  

Feminism has helped evolve women’s rights, and perspective in what we can do in the world.  Apparently at our school, we still have to fight for acknowledgement.