A+Letter+to+My+Grandchild....

Dear Julie ,

When looking at you and all that you can do as a young woman in today's society, I feel so lucky to have been part of the movement that gave you all the opportunities to enjoy life, as an equal to the men in your society. Being a part of the Women's Movement I feel that I've given today's women the opportunity to live their lives, and I feel that today's women, including yourself, need to take advantage of the gifts you've been given. I can remember living during the 50's and being expected to live as if my only job in life was to be a housewife. Now, you mustn't get me wrong, I loved being a housewife, and watching your mother grow. I loved being a wife and mother, but I almost felt as if I had an image to hold when working in the kitchen. It's as if I didn't have a chance to choose how I was going to live my life, and you know what? I didn't have that choice. If I would've had a choice, I have a feeling that I would have gone off and done something enriching like travel, and see the world. But despite the fact that I was never able to travel, I do feel as if I did something important.

In the 60's, I was a member of the National Organizations for Women (NOW) which purpose was to take action in giving women the equal rights they deserved. I believe that one of the most important aspects about the NOW program was that it wasn't just a program for women; it was a program that wished for women to be considered equal to men, not be controlling. We wanted the world to know that women are human beings, just like everyone else and that we have thoughts and opinions too. The program also encouraged women not having to choose between having a career and a family. The program encouraged women to have the opportunity to choose how they wanted to live their lives. I believe that this is how you should live life.

As I look back on my life now, I find that I'm perfectly content with my life and my part in the Women's Movement, and I feel as if women now have a chance to choose how they want to live their lives. I still think that women of today should take advantage of this, which is why I am writing you this letter. I believe that if you work hard and live life to the fullest you will grow to be the mature, young woman I know you can be. I know that you have been given the opportunity to choose how you want to live your life, I now think you need to simply go out and live it!

Love, Grandma Emily