Virtual Art Exhibit - She Changed the World

“She Changed the World!” commemorates the 100^th anniversary of the ratification of the 19^th amendment to the U.S. constitution, giving women the right to vote. However, the passage of the 19^th amendment was not the end of the struggle for women’s suffrage and rights. Native American, African American, and Asian American women among others continued to be denied their right to vote well into the 20^th century.

Today we remember those women who fought for women’s suffrage, a fight that began in the 1840’s. We recognize that the struggle for equal rights for women and justice for all continues. We acknowledge the numerous women in our communities who continue to contribute in personal and public ways to a better future. We celebrate a select group of those women who have changed the world. Their lives inspire us.

The final message of this display, “What will you do to change the world?” challenges each of us to think about the ways that we can have an impact on the lives of others. One person can make a difference, and in a democracy each person has not just the right but also the obligation to participate in creating a better future for all.

The members of the Chapel Hill and Durham chapters of NOW (National Organization for Women) are pledged to stand together for justice. We work locally and collaborate nationally for reproductive justice, economic equality, and protection from violence. We work toward a world in which a woman’s safety and a woman’s dignity are treated as inalienable rights. We are proud to be among the many local and national organizations that share these goals.

Geraldine A. Richards
Chapel Hill NOW

Esther Barkley
Durham NOW