That which is associated with endings also tend to be associated with beginnings.
December is a good example of this. It is the last month of the year and, as a result, people tend to spend it looking forward to what’s next—the beginning of another chapter.
That is a theme quite common this month. Throughout history people have used to December to say goodbye to certain realities. And by doing so, they welcomed something new and—in a number of cases—something better.
DECEMBER 1 – Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man.
On December 1, 1955, the fight against racial inequality in the United States was pushed forward by a Black woman who ironically refused to move.
Her name was Rosa Parks. She boarded a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, purchased a ticket and took a seat on a row designated for colored passengers. Hers was located just behind a row meant for white people.
Sometime during the ride, after all the white-only seats were taken, more white passengers got on and some were left standing. In response to this, the bus driver, a white man, decided to move the colored section behind the row Parks was sitting on and demanded that she and three other black passengers give up their seats. Parks refused out of principle and was arrested for it. This inspired Black people by the thousands to boycott the Montgomery city buses; it also inspired them to challenge segregation laws, expand the civil rights movement and ultimately reshape the social landscape of the US.
In her autobiography “My Story,” Parks wrote that people accused her of not giving up her seat simply because she was physically tired. This isn’t the truth for a woman #beyondcapable of holding her ground “The only ‘tired’ I was,” she wrote, “was ‘tired’ of giving in.”
December 2, 1988: Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto begins her term as the first woman elected to lead a Muslim-Majority country.
On December 2, 1988, Benazir Bhutto began her first term as Pakistan’s prime minister—a post that officially made her the first woman in modern history elected to lead a Muslim-majority country.
Bhutto’s election win came in November 16 that year and it was a culmination of a long struggle that put her at odds with Pakistan’s fundamentalists and military leaders.
Bhutto was the daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a former prime minister of Pakistan who was deposed by a military coup. He was accused of masterminding the assassination of a political rival and was executed after being found guilty. Many years later, the Pakistani Supreme Court would deem that his trial was unfair. But long before that, his daughter would be exiled into the United Kingdom where she gathered support for his party before making a successful homecoming.
In 1985, martial law in Pakistan was ended and Bhutto managed to return and rally about a million people. Eventually, she would lead her father’s party and win the seat as prime minister.
Her rule was met with numerous controversies, however. She was tagged with allegations of corruption and was criticized for giving positions of power to inexperienced allies and family members. Still, in the midst of these accusations, she was seen by many as a champion of modernization and secularism. She was known for loosening the state’s control of non-government organizations and the media and was a vocal critique of religious extremism which she believes tends to flourish through the kind of desperation created by public sector ineptitude.
Bhutto was assassinated in 2007. But the sheer novelty of her position and the colorfulness of her life in the limelight etched her a noticeable spot in human history.
DECEMBER 5, 1935: The National Council of Negro Women was founded
There are times when the virtues of an organization are highlighted whenever it shifts its focus. For one, this could mean that it’s versatile, able to determine trends and act accordingly to stay relevant. This could also mean that it’s successful, that it managed to achieve a goal well enough to be able to turn its attention to other matters. These are two scenarios familiar to today’s birthday celebrant: the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW.)
Since it was launched by none other than the legendary educator Dr. Mary Mcleod-Bethune, @ncnw_hq has been adapting to a world that it continues to take part in shaping. It was introduced to the United States back in December 5, 1935. And, it was conceptualized to unite black women and get them more involved in American policymaking. But, after it became an established force and a frequent visitor of the White House, it became an active advocate for other causes affecting all women. In the 1940s for example, in the midst of the Second World War, it didn’t just campaign for the armed forces to be desegregated while lobbying for black women; it also provided aid for women across the globe.
That being said, the group still maintained its status as a champion of its people. In 1949, the NCNW, under Dorothy Boulding Ferebee, turned its attention to the American legal system, throwing its support for legislative initiatives beneficial to black people. In 1957, through the leadership of activist Dorothy Height, this organization explored ways to support the Civil Rights Movement. And following the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and the Voting Rights Act in 1965, it once again changed its focus to aid black women troubled by economic hardships.
These days, the NCNW operates as an “organization of organizations.” It is currently being backed by more than 2 million people. It promotes education; it encourages entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and economic stability. It also works to provide women healthcare access while pushing for civil engagement as well as sound policies and social justice.
These are, after all, what women currently need. But, should more pressing concerns arise, the NCNW has proven through its long and colorful past that it is #beyondcapable of spotting them and responding to them.
December 6, 1989: The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
Every year, on December 6, Canada observes the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. It is informally known as #WhiteRibbonDay since that is the material commonly used by people who wish to bring attention to it. But regardless of what it is called, it was introduced to commemorate a horrific and troubling event.
On this date back in 1989, a male gunman by the name of Marc Lépine went to the École Polytechnique de Montréal in Quebec. Armed with a legally obtained semi-automatic rifle, he went into a mechanical engineering class, ordered the women to one side of the classroom, and told the men to leave. After which, he claimed to be “fighting feminism” and fired at nine women. Six of them died. He then moved to other parts of the building and killed eight more women before taking his own life. On that day, 14 women were killed: Geneviève Bergeron, 21; Hélène Colgan, 23; Nathalie Croteau, 23; Barbara Daigneault, 22; Anne-Marie Edward, 21; Maud Haviernick, 29; Barbara Klucznik, 31; Maryse Laganière, 25; Maryse Leclair, 23; Anne-Marie Lemay, 22; Sonia Pelletier, 23; Michèle Richard, 21; Anne St-Arneault, 23; and Annie Turcotte, 21. 14 others were injured because of the assault.
Reports following the incident revealed that the mass murderer grew up in an abusive household with a misogynistic father. The police described him as someone who had extreme hatred towards feminism, career women and women who were in jobs generally occupied by men. Lépine, however, is but one man from one country who committed such crimes against women in one day. More than 30 years since his rampage, the type of misogyny he embodied continues to endanger lives.
In various countries every year since this incident, people have marched in response to instances of violence experienced by women. Online, groups have also called out the dangers of the manosphere, an extensive assortment of websites, forums, influencers and communities which openly encourage misogyny under the misapprehension that society should cater to cisgender, heteronormative men. They dish out sexist rhetoric, espouse outdated norms and aggressively pushback against ideals and policies that threaten archaic, gender-based privileges. These too translate to real world violence which has contributed to an alarming statistic expressed by the World Health Organization: the estimate that nearly 1 in 3 women worldwide have experience violence at least once in life.
December 7 1941: Annie G. Fox became the first woman to receive a Purple Heart
On December 7, 1941, First Lieutenant Annie G. Fox diligently performed her duties as a chief nurse—and she did so even as the sky started falling down around her.
History buffs may recognize the aforementioned date. It was on this day when the United States was thrust into the Second World War. The Japanese army launched a surprise attack on #PearlHarbor, dropping bombs on the naval base and nearby areas in #Honolulu, #Hawaii. Casualties were recorded by the thousands and the property damage noted was immense. The attack was such that the team of Fox—stationed at the Hickam Field hospital—witnessed numerous horrors as explosions and gunfire went off around them. But, even at the face of this level of chaos, the #army nurse who had never been in battle up until that point proved to be resolute.
Reports claim that Fox led her team bravely, fulfilling her duties with both #courage and calmness. She boosted the morale of her group, administered pain medication to patients, assisted in various procedures, prepped the wounded for travel and even guided the wives of the military personnel who volunteered to aid them. She worked ceaselessly even as their 30-bed hospital was overwhelmed by the influx of the injured. Death and disaster surrounded them but the #love for both #country and #duty didn’t abandon the nearly 50 year old #nurse.
For her actions on this day, Fox became the first #woman to ever receive the #PurpleHeart which, at that time, wasn’t given exclusively to those injured by enemy forces in battle. When the criteria for this #honor was made stricter, it was rescinded and she was given a #BronzeStar instead. Regardless of this alteration however, Fox continues to be a prominent figure in #history: a woman who proved herself #beyondcapable of rising to the occasion while the world around her fell apart.
December 8 The First English Actress
On December 8, 1660, English #theater committed to one of the most significant innovations of that time: it allowed a woman to play a #woman.
The show was a rendition of #Othello. It was put up by the King’s Company on Vere Street more than 50 years since the tragic tale of jealousy and betrayal was written by William Shakespeare himself. On the stage that windy evening was a portrayal of Desdemona, a wealthy Venetian lady married to the titular character. And, for the first time ever, an actual woman was hired to bring her to life.
It was a change reflective of a new era. During the Renaissance, it was surmised that women weren’t encouraged to act in plays because theater was demonized by the conservatives who saw it as a distraction from both work and church. Many plays were also consumed by the public and it was considered indecent for women to be in such public settings.
Eventually, England overthrew the monarchy and during this time ruled by Puritans, theaters were banned for being supposedly “immoral.” The #RestorationPeriod came in, however. When the #monarchy returned, its eventual ruler, Charles II, also returned from exile and it appeared that he and royalists brought back with them customs from the countries where they lived. A particular influence was apparently France where women not only acted professionally but also wrote plays. Charles, while showing support for the theaters which reopened following his return, allowed women to be more involved in them. This led to the casting novelty which affected the Vere Street Othello.
To this day, however, historians are unsure the identity of the woman considered to be the first English actress. A popular belief is that this was Margaret Hughes, a reportedly glamorous and charming woman who became something of a celebrity during her time. Some, however, say that the part was played by Anne Marshall, a woman said to have been entrenched in the craft. Regardless of who it was, however, many of the women who followed them have proven that they are #beyondcapable of owning the spotlight.
December 10 American women were allowed to vote for the first time
On this day, 154 years ago, the right to vote was explicitly given to women in the United States for the very first time—and it didn’t happen in a place that is known for being progressive.
Throughout its history, even before it became a state, Wyoming is known for being quite conservative. It has a history of voting blue on certain occasions but its electoral history has mostly favored Republican candidates and traditional views. Nevertheless, Wyoming did become the first territory in the US to grant women the right to vote.
No one knows how exactly this came to be. One popular theory is that Esther Hobart Morris—a woman who would later become America’s first woman justice of the peace—managed to convince influential figures in the area. Some say that the legislators of the territory wanted the free publicity that the novel concept would bring. Others, meanwhile, claim that it was an attempt to increase the population of the territory, to draw in more women by giving them the right to participate in elections.
Whatever the reason may be, Wyoming continues to be known to this day as a pioneer even though it isn’t a state known for progressive ideals.
December 13, 1993 – Susan Maxman became the first woman president of the American Institute of Architects
As an architect, Susan Maxman tends to create spaces that fit in with the environment.
She’s a champion of sustainability so it’s only natural for her designs to embrace their settings and do as little damage to the land as possible. This style is explicated in many of her works. For example: Camp Tweedale, a camping facility for Girl Scouts outside of Philadelphia.
Susan Maxman Architects, her firm, designed this place using elements like large windows and French doors to provide a safe space for people to stay in while giving them easy access to the natural beauty of the location. Because of such choices, the group won the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Honor Award in 1990.
This tends to be the story of Susan Maxman: by embracing space and by fitting in, she tends to stand out. And she’s been doing so even during her younger years.
When she first got into architecture, her learnings at Smith College gave her the confidence to pursue a career in a field dominated by men. She entered the industry when the disparity between women like her and her male colleagues were quite obvious especially when one looks at their paychecks.
Still, this did not hinder her; she pursued architecture based on her beliefs and was rewarded many times for it.
On December 13, 1993, she became the first woman president of the AIA, an organization that was already around for 135 years before she led it. in 2011 she was nominated by then US President Barack Obama to the board of directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences. And whenever someone looks at a concept as important as “sustainable architecture,” one will inevitably run into her name since she is one of its champions in the United States and because she knows how to build what lasts–like a solid legacy.
December 26, 1865 – Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Lucy Stone send out a letter urging their friends to actively support the women’s right to vote
The fight for the empowerment of women is an ongoing climb. And while each step may differ in the distances they covered, all of them were crucial.
On December 26, 1865, one of those steps were made. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Lucy Stone—some of the most significant suffragists in the history of the United States—rallied their “troops.” They sent out letters to their friends, urging them to send petitions in support of the women’s suffrage movement to their representatives in Congress.
“Propositions have already been made on the floor of Congress to so amend the Constitution as to exclude Women from a voice in the Government,” the letter said. “As this would be to turn the wheels of legislation backward, let the Women of the Nation now unitedly protest against such a desecration of the Constitution, and petition for that right which is at the foundation of all Government, the right of representation.”
These days, women can vote; women can express their concerns and influence the way of life in the US. And it’s all thanks to the women who took steps like this.
December 27, 2007 – Benazir Bhutto was assassinated
It was during December when Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto began her term as the first woman elected to lead a Muslim-majority country. But, it was also in December when her life ended because of her political involvement.
The exact date of the latter was December 27, 2007. On this day, the then-leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was campaigning ahead of the January 2008 elections. A 15-year-old identified as Bilal came up to her during her political rally at Liaqat National Bagh and fired three shots. After Bhutto fell, he then detonated his suicide bomb. Bhutto was declared dead at 18:16 local time. She died at the Rawalpindi General Hospital. 23 other people were killed at the event.
Bhutto has survived assassination attempts before this. As a woman taking part in politics, a favored candidate of Western countries, and a supporter of secularism, conservative elements of her country saw her as a threat to the supposed core values of the male-dominated Pakistan. Still, her stance has allowed her to get the position of prime minister twice. Her reigns have been criticized for being nepotistic and corrupt but there are those who continued to support her and her party, believing that PPP was the kind of leadership the country needed. After Bhutto was assassinated, the Election Commission of Pakistan postponed the elections by a month. When it resumed, Bhutto’s party won.It was during December when Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto began her term as the first woman elected to lead a Muslim-majority country. But, it was also in December when her life ended because of her political involvement.
The exact date of the latter was December 27, 2007. On this day, the then-leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was campaigning ahead of the January 2008 elections. A 15-year-old identified as Bilal came up to her during her political rally at Liaqat National Bagh and fired three shots. After Bhutto fell, he then detonated his suicide bomb. Bhutto was declared dead at 18:16 local time. She died at the Rawalpindi General Hospital. 23 other people were killed at the event.
Bhutto has survived assassination attempts before this. As a woman taking part in politics, a favored candidate of Western countries, and a supporter of secularism, conservative elements of her country saw her as a threat to the supposed core values of male-dominated Pakistan. Still, her stance has allowed her to get the position of prime minister twice. Her reigns have been criticized for being nepotistic and corrupt but there were those who continued to support her and her party, believing that PPP was the kind of leadership the country needed. After Bhutto was assassinated, the Election Commission of Pakistan postponed the elections by a month. When it resumed, Bhutto’s party won.
December 28, 1918 – Constance Markievicz became the first woman elected to the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
On 28 December 1918, a woman was elected into the House of Commons of the United Kingdom for the first time—and she did it while she was in prison.
The woman in question was Constance Markievicz. She was a candidate of Sinn Féin, an Irish republican and democratic socialist political party. She was running for the Constituency of St. Patrick’s in Dublin and beat her opponent—a man named William Field—with 66% of the vote.
Born Constance Gore-Booth, Markievicz was a child of a privileged Anglo-Irish family. But this did not sway her from having concern for the working class or the poor, especially since her father, Sir Henry Gore-Booth, inspired her and her sister Eva to be more compassionate towards them by providing free food to the tenants of his estate at Lissadell House.
As a child, Markievicz witnessed the struggles of peasants during the famine in Sligo which many attributed to the ineffectiveness of British rule in Ireland. This drew her towards revolutionary activity.
Markievicz was jailed for the first time in 1911 for protesting King George V’s visit to Ireland. Eventually, she got involved in the founding of the Irish Citizen Army, a paramilitary group created to defend protesting workers from the Dublin Metropolitan Police. In 1916, she participated in the Easter Rising, an armed insurrection in Ireland. This led to yet another arrest.
“I went out to fight for Ireland’s freedom and it does not matter what happens to me,” she said in court. “I did what I thought was right and I stand by it.”
Initially, she was sentenced to death but that was commuted because of her sex. Dr Lauren Arrington, a senior lecturer at the Institute of Irish Studies at Liverpool University was interviewed by the BBC regarding Markievicz and she said that this change in her sentence was not well-received by the Irishwoman.
“It annoyed her as she felt that she shouldn’t get off purely because she was a woman,” said Dr. Arrington. “She also felt some responsibility for the jailed rebels she knew from Na Fianna Éireann—a nationalist youth organization Markievicz co-founded with Bulmer Hobson.”
Instead of death, she was imprisoned and subjected to hard labor and near starvation. In 1917, she was released but was apprehended soon after for sedition. While at the hands of authorities, she managed to campaign for a government seat and win on a feminist and socialist platform. But she refused to take her seat.
It was in line with Sinn Fein’s policy of abstentionism to push out more moderate Irish politicians. She also refused to take it because that would mean swearing allegiance to the very force she opposed—the British monarchy.
December 28, 1967 – Muriel Siebert became the first woman to own a seat at the New York Stock Exchange.
American businesswoman, Muriel “Mickie” Siebert, once said that since she had no female role models, she “blazed” her own path.
It’s what pioneers do and she has certainly earned that distinction. On December 28, 1967, she became the first woman to own a seat at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE.) And this was just one of the achievements that had people dubbing her the “First Woman of Finance.”
Born to a Jewish family in Cleveland, Ohio, Siebert attended Western Reserve University where business classes would have her as the only woman in it. During a trip to New York, she visited the NYSE and according to the National Women’s History Museum (NWHM,) she was determined to work there one day.
Around 1954, two years after she left school and grappled with the death of her father, she moved to the Big Apple when the women who worked at the NYSE were secretaries and support staff. NWHM said that she wanted more. She lied about her college degree to get her first job training as a researcher for Bache & Company. Soon enough, she’d be seen constantly shifting jobs because she didn’t like how the firms she worked for paid men more than they paid women for the same amount of work.
During the 1960s, Siebert grew tired of this, according to the NWHM. So, her friend—the investor Gerald Tsai—advised her to buy a seat at the stock exchange. She eventually thought this was a good idea but in order for it to work, she needed a sponsor. The first nine men she asked refused. The 10th one agreed. According to the NWHM, NYSE required her to pay $445,000; $300,000 of that, it said, must come from a bank. It was Chase Manhattan bank which loaned her the money and allow her to earn her distinction as a woman in the stock exchange.
Throughout her career Siebert was very vocal about her support of women and minorities. She once said that women executives could be the United States’ competitive edge over countries that still limit their executive pool exclusively to men. She advocated for businesses to embrace diversity and maximize the talents held back by prejudices against women and minorities.
“The real risk,” she once said, “lies in continuing to do things the way they’ve always been done.”
