Did you vote, ladies?

Here it is, girls. Democracy day for women: The date in 1920 when the Nineteenth Amendment took effect, giving us the right to vote. Can't believe it took the rascals that long to admit we can think for ourselves.They weren't all rascals, of course. Sorry, guys. Without some of your ancestors taking a heroic stance it might have taken even longer for the fairer sex to have a say in the laws which govern us. We started trying almost as soon as we got here, back to the Civil War.

Speaking of heroes, some of those women gave their very lives or became maimed for life. A few horror stories, perhaps the blood which was sadly necessary to convince of the need for change, are of women whose peaceful protest netted them a violent imprisonment. I've written of this before: The Night of Terror on Nov. 15, 1917, when a Virginia warden ordered 40 club-wielding guards to teach 33 protestors a lesson. Their terrible crime? Obstructing sidewalk traffic. For this they were hung from the ceiling all night, beaten, and bloodied. Dora Lewis' head was smashed against an iron bed until she lost consciousness.All because we wanted to vote. Not that it's over.

Worldwide the oppressed look to Americans to put our mettle where our constitutional mouths are. Even today not all women can vote. In too many places the right is similarly denied men too.In some nations tens of thousands born of the "wrong" ethnicity are denied the most basic representation. Others may have it on paper, but not in effect; their votes are weighted less or violence and other oppressions are used to keep them from the polling booths. That's not just sad; it affects international trade, world markets, and fair competition. For that matter, it generates or at least prolongs certain wars. What happens far away affects us all.

Equal footing is fundamental to any successful relationship.Tuesday's KTEC levy was a great example of the power this affords us. As a community we decided to build something which will have a specific impact on our future, not just for the young who need skills, but to attract more employers to a ready labor market. We took this sagging economy by our own hands and decided to act on it locally. Agree or disagree, the vote is how we did it.

Whether or not you voted, you could have, even if you're a woman."Clever and attractive women do not want to vote; they are willing to let men govern as long as they govern men." - George Bernard Shaw

Sholeh Patrick, J.D. is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network who wishes neither to govern or be governed. Contact her at sholehjo@hotmail.com.