History: his story?
The farther one goes back in history, the less often one
comes across the names of women. Why is
this? The answer is complicated and has
to do with the very question of what we mean by “historical.”
People have traditionally thought of history as the story of
military and religious leaders reshaping political boundaries or reshaping what
people believed in. These activities
were often undertaken by men, though not exclusively! Read about some
fascinating women leaders or some
famous women in history.
One reason for this is that women of the past were often
subject to limited freedoms (Did you know American women have been voting for
less than 100 years?). Many, like the
Suffragettes were busy fighting heroically for basic rights, even just the
right to be heard, while men were engaging in the kinds of battles we often
read about.
But another reason that women weren’t often out conquering
other lands was that they were busy doing other things. The fact is, when we talk about great women of
history, we often mean those few women who did things we commonly associate,
historically, with men – even the women we looked at in this film fit that
profile. What does it mean to be
historically relevant? Historians of the
last 50 years have begun to look at history from the point of groups besides
powerful men– groups like farmers, workers and women, challenging traditional
historiography.
The more we understand these points of view, the better we
are able to
build a much more complete picture of what daily life was like for
the 108 billion people we estimate have lived on earth.
But perhaps the simplest reason women’s history is not
written down is because
they didn’t write history! Prior to about two hundred years ago,
women’s literacy rates were low to non-existent, other than cloistered
nuns. In fact, literate women were, and
in some places still are, considered quite dangerous.
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792), written by the 18th-century British feminist
Mary Wollstonecraft, is one of the earliest works of feminist philosophy. In it, Wollstonecraft responds to those educational and political theorists of the 18th century who did not believe women should have an education. She argues that women ought to have an education commensurate with their position in society, claiming that women are essential to the nation because they educate its children and because they could be "companions" to their husbands, rather than mere wives. Instead of viewing women as ornaments to society or property to be traded in marriage, Wollstonecraft maintains that they are human beings deserving of the same fundamental rights as men.
Reading,
getting an education, pursuing what we’re curious about on the internet: These are things many of us take for granted.
But many people do not have these privileges or rights, even still. Equality
for women and for disadvantaged people around the globe is still a crucial issue.
Learning about what life is like for
people around the world doesn’t mean you have to catch the next ship. Catch the ship of your curiosity, and see
where it leads you. Educating yourself about
the greater world is the best way of guaranteeing that everybody gets to
participate in the conversation. Happy
travels.
Some viewers on our youtube page have suggested that, were the explorers in the video all men, we would not call attention to their gender. Is talking about women's history a way of honoring the strides made by women? Or does it continue to present women as a group of "others," instead of half the world!
Over the last 50 years, historians have made special efforts to include the experiences of women when talking about history, instead of focusing only on the deeds of great men. Do you think calling attention to a time when society was more divided helps us celebrate the strides that feminists have made towards equality, or does it somehow keep us from uniting?
yes, because from my point of view the womens are very important in dairy live, is important to know how they acquired participate in some different activities that befores they can´t participate.
Yes, it appears to me that women's history is very important because thanks your contributions now the women can to do anything, and this for the gender equity that these women achieved to get in the past.
Yes, it appears to me that women's history is very important because thanks your contributions now the women can to do anything, and this for the gender equity that these women achieved to get in the past.
yes, becuase women have left their mark on the world, at times changing the course of history and at other times influencing small but significant spheres of life. For example Annie Besant (1847-1933) was a women's rights activist, writer and orator.
She fought for the causes she thought were right, starting with freedom of thought, women's rights, birth control, Fabian socialism and worker's rights.
because the woman has gone through a lot of things to long years to get to where they are now and what they have become today is to be admired and thats why they deserve so much importance
Yes, we should know of women's history. Don't get me wrong, without men women wouldn't be where they are today. But, we always hear of men and all the great things they've accomplished and people need to know that women can stand there ground and accomplish some pretty great stuff too. To me, it is very important we know of women's history so we can compare to how we are today.
Yes, In my opinion learning about the impacts on our world made by women is equally as important as learning about the impacts made by men.
Yes, because women are also very important too and shouldn't be looked over just as cooks and cleaners.
it is extremely important to think about women's history, because we are supposed to have equality nowadays, but people still dont know how women contributed to history
I think it is good people are acknowledging womens history because throught time men has always dominated everything. That might be because women were at home taking care of everything. With some women though they have strived to do their best and they are recognized, which is great. Then again just because women didn't do what the men did. Does not mean that we should praise them more highly for doing the things they could do.
I believe that talking about the female explorers somehow unites us today. It shows that men were not the only ones that are determined and able to discover new things in the world. As historians talk more and more about woman's strides in exploration it not only shows us these things but it also helps put more of our history together piece by piece.
yes because it important to know the women of history did to help in history
Yes, Because without them we wouldn't be here today. They changed both the past and now the future by doing things they use not be able to.
I think it is very important because of equality. Women deserve to be treated equally as important as the men. It isn't fair that men are more 'important' when women are just important and i think its great to learn about women's history because i can hear about women that have taken a stand for their own civil rights and it makes me want to make just as many changes to have more acceptance and rights .
Yes because Women should be viewed as more than stay at home people or cooks and cleaners, women are important and can do important things as well.
yes because we cant only focus on the big points in history everything that happens and is recorded is important women struggle was one of the biggest things that has happened
Yes because women have done some great things just like men have, maybe not the same, but still really important. Women have worked hard over the years for what's right and people should learn about that.
Yes, because even the smallest things they did then have a big effect on us now, even when we don't realize it.
I believe that women, even the ones that didn't contribute much should be mentioned in historical lessons.
yes, if not then they would be forgotten behind other history
Yes, because men have always been the ones to be seen as doing all things that has been put down in history and women never get the spotlight on the extraordinary things they do worth to be put in the history books.
yes because its important to know our history rather it being women or men because it shows respect to both
no because men have made and done great things as well
Yes, it is important because the women were important in their daily life. :)
I think it is important to think about womens history because without these people we had in our history, womens rights wouldnt really be the same. Today women have just as much freedom as men and we are extremely lucky for those women who fought for our rights in the history.
yes it is important to think about the woman history because back then woman didn't have the right to vote, fly an airplane, be a doctor, or really any job except staying at home and cooing their husbands dinner. With out the woman standing up for them selves we wouldn't be the amazing women we are today. That's why its important to think about woman's history.
Yes, it is important to think specifically about woman's history because women have improved over the years by bravery and have changed so much over the past century. It's great to go back in history and learn about how much the world has improved. Some people still believe woman are dangerous and weak, but looking in our past, we can easily prove them wrong.
I do think it is important to think about women's history specifically because women are big part of our history and what they have done still affects us today. If we think about women's history and what they did it can inspire us today. Also because of women in the past women today have more rights so that makes women's history an important thing to think about.
it would be important because until the 20th century women didnt explore or travel so its kind of treating it like the end of racism or women rights.
I igrea
Yes gender gap is the big difference women are as equal as men be in most cases they are doing the same type of work.
Yes, it's important to learn about women's history because women don't tend to get as much recognition for somethings while men do. Women have a big role in this role and should get the credit they deserve.
Yes because women are the other half of human kind.