By Elizabeth Danos, News Editor

The idea of women being at the same status as men is something that people have struggled with for thousands and thousands of years. Men were typically seen as dominant beings, and women were thought to be more submissive.

However, on August 26, 1920, women gained some power when they won the right to vote under the 19th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and things have only been looking up for the female gender ever since. In the past century women from all over the world have been making history.

From Coco Chanel’s boyish women’s clothing to Mother Theresa’s work in impoverished countries, the way women are perceived as a gender continues to change dramatically.

There was a time when women didn’t have nearly as many rights as men, and even now in some places women still have to fight to be treated as equals. Despite this, women in history have managed to contribute and help shape today’s society.

Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt, Margaret Thatcher, and so many others have paved the way for the world’s modern day woman. Whether it’s in the home or workplace, gender roles are changing and women are doing more now than they ever have before.

Even Armstrong’s president, Linda Bleicken, continues to push the boundaries when it comes to gender equality.

Interestingly enough, it wasn’t until 1964 that the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act passed that banned discrimination of employment based on race and/or sex. It was a mere fifty years ago women began to take precedence in the work place.

Then it wasn’t until 1972 that The Equal Rights Amendment was passed by congress and sent to the states to be ratified.

After centuries of fighting for natural born rights, women have finally earned an equal place in society. Now that the law is on women’s side, it’s up to the people to treat women as equals.

Females continue to impact the community and make a difference, whether it is in the home, workplace, or elsewhere. August 26th marks a great day in history, and women have accomplished a great deal in the past century. With that being said, there is still much to be done when it comes to true gender equality.

Although laws may be passed that says men and women are equal, women continue to battle with equality in the workplace when it comes to acceptance from peers. This is not an issue that is fully in the past, and although great progress has been made, women will have to continually fight to be treated as equals.

The late Maya Angelou said it best, “How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!”