Women's chains have been forged by men, not by anatomy.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes that the limitations imposed on women are societal constructs rather than biological determinants.
Estelle Ramey's quote critiques the historical and systemic oppression women have faced, asserting that such constraints are created by societal norms and actions of men rather than originating from any inherent biological differences. This highlights the importance of recognizing and challenging societal structures that perpetuate inequality.
In practice
In a talk about gender equality at a conference, you could use this quote to underline the importance of societal change.
When I started, the press credentials said 'No women or children in the press box,' ... There are a lot of things in the workplace that you can attempt to hide, and I could not hide the fact that I was a woman. I was always the only woman in the press box, and they didn't even have ladies rooms.
Women will be no longer made the slaves of, or dependent upon men ... They will be equal in education, rights, privileges and personal liberty.
We have to make sure that women's issues are an essential element on the agendas of all heads of state, all governments.
Why must women stay quietly? Why must we be little moons, each of us stuck in our little orbit, revolving around a planet that is some man? Why can't we be other planets? Why must we be moons?
Investing in women and girls may once have been considered a radical notion or even a waste of resources, but in most places in the world today, women and girls are increasingly recognized as a critical link to greater prosperity, political stability, better health and public policy.
What works for men does not always work for women, because success and likability are positively correlated for men and negatively correlated for women. That's what the research shows. As a man gets more successful, everyone is rooting for him. As a woman gets more successful, both men and women like her less.
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