Our quilt group doesn't start until after lunch today so I have time to write a few words this morning.
Today, as the title says, is International Women's Day. It may not mean a great deal to many women but, I strongly believe that we should acknowledge it. This day has been set aside to recognize women's accomplishments as well as their continued struggles. Far too many women still do not have basic rights and freedoms.
As a reminder of the impact women have had on the world, here is a brief list of products invented by our gender. Along with the expected 'feminine' inventions such as alphabet blocks, chocolate-chip cookies, disposable diapers, rolling pin, diswasher (surely a candidate for sainthood) and baby carrier are many others. Did you know that a women invented the circulaw saw, elevated railway, electric water heater, engine muffler, life raft, kevlar (used in safety vests, radial tires, helmets), rotary engine and street-cleaning machine. This list is just a highlight. There isn't room to itemize each invention but you can find them on the web.
Considering that women were not allowed to register pattens in their own name until the late 1800's, one has to wonder how many other other inventions were really the creation of a female. There is a lot of truth in the statement that every time you see Annonymous on something, you can be pretty sure a woman's name should be there.
One last thought: promoting women doesn't/shouldn't mean disparaging men. The suffragettes and other women who fought for our rights were joined and supported by men.
Blessings,
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