You will read here first a letter to the editor, entitled “Two Strong Wings”, published in the Courier-Herald on Feb. 3, 2021. As you can see, the letter (which was written by me) mainly focuses on Amanda Gorman and the poem she shared at the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, 2021. She is an image of what women can accomplish. The remainder of this story will delve more deeply into the equality of women and men.

“You could not have watched that 22 year old young woman, Amanda Gorman, as she shared her heart, hopes and conviction by way of that enlightening poem, ‘The Hill We Climb’, and not appreciate the significance of women in the forefront of our democracy. At this moment in our history, she represents the potential of education, the potential of women and young girls that are free to embrace their dreams. She is an example of the amazing depth of thought possible when a women has access to a quality education, and the will and courage to share her talents. In Amanda Gorman, you can see a brighter future, but as many, her journey included tests and difficulties as she speaks of ‘a skinny black girl’ that bravely stood before the nation.

If you haven’t watched Gorman’s recital of the poem, I highly encourage you to do so at www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/20/amanda-gorman-poem-biden-inauguration-transcript.

Such a witness to love, skill and the respect she has for the art of words. She gave us this gift that is so timely, so appropriate, and so inspiring. Her words give hope that perhaps it is now time for women to take their rightful place in our society.

Sadly, history holds patterns of oppression of basic human rights for women. Women and girls have been denied education, subjected to violence and treated as subordinates….”

“There must be an equality of rights between men and women. Women shall receive an equal privilege of education. This will enable them to qualify and progress in all degrees of occupation and accomplishment. For the world of humanity possesses two wings: man and woman. If one wing remains incapable and defective, it will restrict the power of the other, and full flight will be impossible. Therefore, the completeness and perfection of the human world is dependent upon the equal development of these two wings. When the two wings … become equivalent in strength, enjoying the same prerogatives, the flight of man will be exceedingly lofty and extraordinary.” (Abdu’l-Baha, Promulgation of Universal Peace).”

If we take a look at history, you can see that mankind has been ever advancing to arrive at where we are today. If you were to compare the total of historical development to that of an individual, it is easy to see the pattern that emerges.

At the time in infancy, the world had few laws and the role of man was to overpower the enemies of nature and protect the women and children, which was commendable at that time. As age and experience increased, a more civilized version of this emerged, which may have been likened to a child, experimenting and learning. The period of youth that the world experienced gained in many social and administrative powers, and began the ages referred to as the renaissance, where massive improvement and knowledge were generated.

This catapulted civilization into the pangs of young adulthood, and the requirements and situations started changing at an ever accelerating rate. Because of all the knowledge gained in the past, mankind has now entered the period of maturity. We have skills and understanding far exceeding all the eras of the past.

With this comes the ability of individuals to study and learn for themselves, to choose peace instead of violence and to look seriously at the inequities in our society. With this knowledge and information, change is happening. One of these changes is the recognition of the oppression and harm instill on individuals due to their sex, race or social status, is not justified.

These archaic attitudes are disintegrating and a new vision is emerging. A vision of justice, character and equality. One of the areas of growth and unity is that of the station of women. While in the past, women were dominated by men, due to their overpowering strength, aggression and forceful qualities, this is now considered an unlawful act of violence. There is evidence of change, as women are seen more for their spiritual qualities and their lofty accomplishments in all areas of endeavor. They are the peacemakers, and protagonists for law and justice. Their influence, when raised to its highest state of equality, will be to open the path way that will put an end to war and conflict.

“To proclaim equality is not to deny that differences in function between women and men exist but rather to affirm the complementary roles men and women fulfill in the home and society at large. A great challenge of society is to make social and economic provisions for the full and equal participation of women in all aspects of life, while simultaneously reinforcing the critical function of motherhood. … Women and men are equal recipients of powers and endowments from God. …. Only when women become full participants in all domains of life and enter the important arenas of decision-making will humanity be prepared to embark on the next stage of its collective development.” (“Two Wings of a Bird”, published 1997 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahia’s of the United States)