When I set out to canvass for the 2024 election, I was excited to get people engaged and expected to hear many different stories. I was not prepared when I encountered the disturbingly prevalent attitude that women shouldn’t—or don’t need to—vote.
Yeah, you read that right. I guess I was a little naive. Let me tell you, that reality hit me hard.
I mean, just checking, we’re in the 21st century, right?
Wait, This is Still Happening?
Picture this: I knock on a door, ready to chat with the woman of the house about the upcoming election. Her husband won’t let her speak without him being there, hovering like her personal gatekeeper. Her body language? Yikes. She was visibly uncomfortable—nervous giggles, awkward glances. And it wasn’t just one house. I saw women who seemed scared to speak freely, like their opinions didn’t matter or that it wasn’t safe for them to have them. It felt like stepping into a time machine, straight back to an era where women were expected to do what they were told.
Photo by hellosilver/Pexels
Spoiler Alert: It’s More Common Than You Think
I thought this kind of thinking was long gone, but it’s way more pervasive than I ever imagined. The idea that women shouldn’t vote—or should just blindly follow whatever their husband or father says—is still out there, lurking like an outdated relic that just won’t die. Yes, we’ve made huge strides in the last 80 years, but come on. Women STILL don’t have equal rights in this country, and some of these attitudes are just dragging us backward.
I’m not here to sugarcoat it. We’ve got work to do.
A Glimmer of Hope
There was one bright spot in all of this. After we left one house, a woman sent her daughter running after us. She wanted the info we were handing out and—wait for it—wanted to know how SHE could sign up to vote! Talk about a mic-drop moment. Here was someone reclaiming her power, and inspiring her daughter to do the same. It was a big win, and believe me, I savored it.
The Takeaway: Your Voice is Everything
I am ignited—especially in the area of women’s rights. Ladies, your voice matters more than ever. It’s not just about voting for yourself—it's about voting for a world where everyone is heard, where equality is real, and where we don’t roll back the clock to a time when women were expected to sit down and be quiet. We need to vote for progress, for freedom, and for a future where no one’s voice is silenced.
So, let’s get out there. Let’s vote. And let’s make sure the world knows—women’s voices aren’t going anywhere.