There have been women who have pioneered and paved the way for me

Hear now, O Children of the Future, the powerful words of Ashlyn Harris: "There have been women who have pioneered and paved the way for me to be able to sit here and to have a platform. And it's my job and my duty to continue to push the boundary for equality on all spectrums." These words resonate with the weight of legacy, responsibility, and the unyielding drive for progress. In them, Harris acknowledges the sacrifices of those who have come before her, but she also commits herself to the task of moving the needle of equality further, reaching beyond the boundaries set by previous generations. She understands that the platform she now stands on was not built in a day, nor by one person, but by countless hands, especially those of women who fought for the rights and opportunities she enjoys today.

From the dawn of civilization, women have been at the forefront of the struggle for equality, often fighting for rights and recognition in a world that relegated them to the shadows of history. In ancient Greece, women were largely excluded from political and intellectual life, their roles confined to the home and hearth. Yet, even then, there were pioneers, such as the philosopher Diotima, who challenged the prevailing notions of gender roles and sought to elevate the status of women in the eyes of men. Diotima, though not widely recognized in her time, planted the seeds of change that would eventually lead to the voices of Socrates, Plato, and others considering the place of women in society. Through such acts of resistance, however quiet, the boundaries for women were slowly but surely pushed forward.

Ashlyn Harris, in her recognition of those who paved the way for her, reflects the very spirit of these pioneers—women who dared to dream of equality and who, through their actions, laid the foundation for others to stand. The suffragettes, like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, were giants who fought against the deeply entrenched systems of patriarchy that denied women the right to vote and the freedom to shape their own destinies. Their tireless work in the face of scorn and oppression reminds us that progress, though hard-won, is the product of courage and determination. They, too, understood that to achieve equality, they must not simply demand their rights, but reclaim the space that had been unjustly denied to them.

In ancient Rome, the battle for women’s rights was not as openly fought as in later centuries, but women like Livia Drusilla, the wife of Emperor Augustus, played subtle yet powerful roles in the shaping of the Roman Empire. Livia was a woman who, through wisdom and diplomacy, carved out a space for herself within the political sphere, subtly influencing policy and decisions. While not a public figure in the sense we think of today, her influence was undeniable, a quiet testament to the ways in which women have, for centuries, fought for their place in the world, even when the boundaries of their rights seemed insurmountable. Harris’ words speak to this quiet but powerful force—the ongoing effort to expand the space in which women can act, speak, and lead.

The lesson, O Children, is profound and clear: No progress is ever made without the strength of those who come before. Ashlyn Harris acknowledges that the freedom and opportunities she enjoys are not gifts, but legacies, built through the efforts of countless women who fought and sacrificed. But, as Harris also states, the work is never complete. It is not enough to simply inherit these opportunities; it is the duty of every generation to push the boundaries further. The fight for equality is not a destination, but a journey—one that demands both reflection on the past and action in the present.

In your own life, remember this: Equality is not something that is simply given; it is something that must be earned and protected. The struggles of those who came before you provide the foundation, but it is your task to ensure that their efforts do not fade into history, but instead serve as the catalyst for further change. Stand not only for your own rights but for the rights of others, pushing the boundaries of justice and equality in every aspect of your life. Act with purpose, for as Ashlyn Harris says, it is your duty to carry the torch forward—to create a world where equality is not just a dream, but a living, breathing reality.

Let this truth guide you, O Children: The journey of equality is long and requires perseverance. Speak up, act boldly, and continue to push boundaries wherever they exist. Remember that every small action, every step taken toward fairness and justice, brings the world closer to the ideal that equality is not a privilege for the few, but a right for all. The pioneers of the past have done their part—now it is your turn to carry the legacy forward and build the future where all are valued equally.