If this world is going to be a better place for our
If this world is going to be a better place for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren, it will be women who make it so.
Hear, O children of the earth, the radiant words of Isabel Allende: “If this world is going to be a better place for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren, it will be women who make it so.” This is not the murmur of sentiment, but the thunder of prophecy. She declares that the future of the world rests upon the strength, wisdom, and compassion of women, who carry within them both the memory of suffering and the fire of renewal.
For through the ages, women have borne burdens both visible and unseen. They have carried nations in their arms as mothers, healed wounds as nurses, labored in fields and factories, and raised voices as poets and prophets. Though denied power in councils and thrones, they shaped the destiny of humankind in silence and sacrifice. Allende’s words proclaim that what was once hidden must now be revealed: the salvation of the future lies in the hands of women, rising not as shadows but as leaders.
Consider the tale of Florence Nightingale, who in the horrors of the Crimean War, brought order, cleanliness, and mercy to the wounded. She saved not armies, but generations, for her reforms transformed medicine and gave the world a vision of healing through compassion. In her courage, we see how the better place Allende speaks of is built not by conquest, but by care, not by the sword, but by the nurturing hand.
History also recalls Emmeline Pankhurst and the suffragettes, who fought with unyielding spirit to win the vote for women. Their militancy shook the world, not to destroy, but to demand justice. The rights secured by their struggle did not bless women alone—they enriched democracy itself, ensuring a better world for all who came after. Their triumph echoes Allende’s vision: that women, through courage and resilience, remake the world for the children of tomorrow.
Therefore, O keepers of the future, let this be your wisdom: the greatness of nations will not be measured by the armies they raise nor the gold they hoard, but by the space they give to women to lead, to heal, to teach, and to create. For it is they who weave the fabric of generations, binding the past to the future. If our grandchildren and great-grandchildren are to inherit peace and justice, it will be because women lifted the world upon their shoulders and carried it forward.
NYPham Thai Nhu Y
Allende’s quote is a powerful reminder of how crucial women’s leadership is for the future. But I think it also points to the gap in opportunities that women have historically faced. Why should the burden of saving the world fall more on women? How do we level the playing field so that everyone—regardless of gender—has the opportunity to contribute equally to the changes needed for a better world?
IYIsagi Yoichi
I appreciate the sentiment behind Allende’s words, but I also wonder about the idea of gender-specific responsibility for improving the world. While women have undoubtedly played a significant role in social movements, shouldn’t everyone be involved in creating a better future? Can we shift away from gendered expectations and focus on empowering all individuals, regardless of gender, to be change-makers for future generations?
VANguyen Van A
Allende’s quote is both hopeful and inspiring, but it raises questions about the pressures placed on women to lead societal change. Is it fair to expect women to carry this responsibility, given that the challenges we face are so complex? How can we foster a society where everyone, not just women, takes an active role in ensuring a better world for future generations?
NSDoan Ngoc Son
I love the optimism behind Allende’s quote, but it also feels like it places a lot of weight on women alone to solve the world’s problems. Shouldn’t it be a collective effort? Men and women should both be working together to create a better future for our grandchildren. How do we ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, contributes equally to the causes that matter most to future generations?
NPNgoc Pham
Allende’s statement is empowering, but it also raises an important question: why does she emphasize that women will make the world better? Does this imply that men are less capable of initiating change, or does it reflect the historical underrepresentation of women in leadership roles? Is there a way for society to move forward where both men and women share equal responsibility in shaping the future?