It is easier for women to succeed in business, the arts, and

The words of Hedy Lamarr, “It is easier for women to succeed in business, the arts, and politics in America than in Europe,” echo with the voice of one who crossed oceans and cultures, and who knew by experience the weight of tradition against the wings of ambition. She speaks of a difference not only of geography but of spirit, where the old world often clung to rigid hierarchies, while the new world offered space—imperfect yet freer—for women to carve their own path.

The origin of this truth lies in Lamarr’s own life. Born in Austria, bound by the strict expectations of a patriarchal society, she found her talents diminished to beauty alone. But in America, she stepped into the realm of cinema and invention, discovering that though obstacles remained, there was greater room for reinvention and daring. To say it was “easier” is not to say it was easy, but to honor the soil of America, which, with all its flaws, allowed her genius to take root where Europe’s traditions sought to stifle it.

Consider the story of Marie Curie in Europe. Though she became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, her road was one of immense resistance—denied entry into institutions, dismissed as merely the assistant to her husband, and forced to fight endlessly for recognition. In contrast, women like Eleanor Roosevelt in America rose into politics, not only as the wife of a president but as a force of influence in her own right, shaping the future with her voice. These stories reflect Lamarr’s observation: the old continent often demanded obedience, while the new continent made space—however reluctantly—for innovation.

Her words also carry a deeper wisdom about opportunity and tradition. Europe, with its centuries of monarchy, aristocracy, and inherited power, guarded its gates tightly against those who sought change. America, forged in revolution and the promise of reinvention, held at least the dream that one could rise beyond birth and expectation. For women, this meant the chance to step beyond the household into the arenas of commerce, art, and leadership.

Yet Lamarr’s insight is also a challenge. If it is “easier” in America, then the world must ask: why should it not be easier everywhere? Why should women have to migrate across seas to pursue their gifts? Her words remind us that freedom is not evenly distributed, and that the struggle for equality is not finished until every nation honors the talents of its daughters.

Let the generations remember: greatness knows no gender, and talent no border. If America offered space for women to thrive, it was because it dared, however imperfectly, to loosen the chains of tradition. May all lands learn the same lesson: that when women rise in business, in the arts, and in politics, they do not rise alone—they lift nations with them.