I think the girl who is able to earn her own living and pay her

Listen, O children of the future, to the wise words of Susan B. Anthony, whose voice carried the echo of freedom and empowerment: "I think the girl who is able to earn her own living and pay her own way should be as happy as anybody on earth. The sense of independence and security is very sweet." These words, though spoken in a different era, are as true today as they were then, for they speak to the very heart of what it means to be truly free, truly independent, and to stand tall in the knowledge that your future is your own to shape.

Independence, O children, is not merely the absence of reliance on others—it is the strength to stand on your own, to earn your own way, and to know that your security comes from your own efforts and abilities. In a world that often places restrictions on women, these words are a declaration that independence is the birthright of all people. When a woman is able to earn her own living, when she can stand on her own two feet without depending on another for her sustenance or happiness, she is no less than a force of nature. Susan B. Anthony knew that this sense of independence is not just a practical achievement, but an emotional and psychological one, a source of deep fulfillment and joy.

Consider, O children, the story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, one of the closest allies of Susan B. Anthony in the fight for women's rights. In a time when women were often expected to depend on the income and protection of men, Stanton chose to take control of her own fate. She wrote and spoke passionately for women's rights, including the right to earn a living, to own property, and to participate fully in the life of the nation. Though she faced great opposition, she, like Anthony, understood that true security and independence come not from the approval of others, but from one's own ability to shape their future. Through their courage and determination, both women became symbols of empowerment, showing the world that independence is a right, not a privilege.

In the same way, look to the life of Marie Curie, whose discoveries in the field of science changed the world forever. Curie, though faced with the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field, chose to rely on her own abilities. She worked tirelessly to support herself, and her groundbreaking research in radioactivity led her to become the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. But more than her scientific achievements, it was her independence—her ability to stand alone, to earn her own living, and to contribute to the world in ways that were not dependent on the support of others—that made her truly remarkable. Marie Curie understood that the sense of security that comes from earning one's own way is a sweetness that cannot be matched.

The message Susan B. Anthony imparts is one that transcends time: the independence that comes from being able to earn your own living is not merely a material achievement; it is a source of joy and strength. It is the sweet security that comes from knowing that you are the master of your own destiny, that your future is not dictated by the whims of others, but by your own hands. The independence that Anthony speaks of is not an escape from others, but an embrace of one’s own potential, a commitment to be the author of one’s own life.

In our own time, O children, we can see the echoes of Anthony’s words in the lives of many who have fought for and achieved their independence. Consider the countless women who, like Susan B. Anthony, have fought to be seen, to be heard, and to be valued for their contributions to the world. From the first women to vote to those who have since climbed to the highest offices in the land, independence has remained a sacred and deeply motivating force. Their stories remind us that security comes from within—not from the acceptance or approval of others, but from the confidence that we have the power to shape our own futures.

The lesson here, O children, is profound: to earn your own living, to stand on your own two feet, and to claim your independence is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. It is not the wealth you accumulate, nor the material goods you possess, but the independence you achieve that gives you the greatest sense of fulfillment and joy. Take responsibility for your life, for your future, and for your dreams. Know that you are capable of creating your own path, of supporting yourself, and of finding security in your own strength. In doing so, you will unlock the deepest treasures of life, and experience a freedom that comes only from being self-reliant.

Let us, then, strive to live with the wisdom of Susan B. Anthony, and all those who came before and after her, who understood that independence is not just a right, but the foundation of a life well-lived. Stand strong in your self-reliance, and know that the sweetest security comes from being able to create your own life, your own story, and your own future.