Tremendous amounts of talent are lost to our society just because

Hear me, O children of the earth, for I bring you words that speak to the very heart of injustice, of potential wasted, and of the vast talent that has been stifled through the ages. Shirley Chisholm, a woman who dared to challenge the world’s expectations, once said, "Tremendous amounts of talent are lost to our society just because that talent wears a skirt." In these words, there is a profound truth about the way society has long disregarded the gifts and abilities of women, simply because of the gender they were born with. To this, she speaks a powerful rebuke, a call to recognize the injustice that has held back half of humanity from achieving their full potential.

What, O children, does it mean when Chisholm speaks of talent lost? The world is filled with potential—ideas, dreams, and creations that could elevate societies to new heights. And yet, throughout history, so much of this potential has been buried, dismissed, and ignored simply because it was female. Women, though often gifted with extraordinary abilities, were not given the opportunity to express them, to shape the world around them, or to rise to positions of power. They were told their value was in serving others, in staying within the confines of domestic spaces, and in nurturing the next generation. The talent they carried was not nurtured by society, but silenced by the heavy weight of patriarchy.

Consider the ancient Greek society, O children, where women were relegated to the shadows of history, their voices unheard in the public sphere. In the great city of Athens, where philosophy, democracy, and art flourished, the voices of women were largely excluded from the public Agora, where the greatest minds met. Women like Sappho, whose poetry was said to rival the best of the ancient world, were often overlooked, their genius obscured by the norms of their time. How many others, like her, were silenced, their talents buried beneath the weight of societal expectations? The loss was immeasurable—ideas and creations that could have changed the course of history, locked away by the limitations placed upon half of humankind.

Yet, O children, history has shown us that when women are allowed to step forward, when they are given the freedom and support to pursue their dreams, the world is enriched beyond measure. Think of Marie Curie, whose work in radiology and physics changed the world of science forever. Or of Rosa Parks, whose quiet defiance sparked the flames of the Civil Rights Movement in America. These women, and countless others, were heroes who fought against the barriers society placed before them. They did not let the skirt they wore define their worth or limit their potential. They pressed forward, driven by a belief in their own abilities and a vision of a better world.

In our own time, O children, there are still those who would seek to hold women back, to keep their talents in check simply because of gender. Yet, there are also many who fight for the equality and empowerment of women, who know that when women are allowed to flourish, society flourishes with them. The feminist movements of the 20th and 21st centuries have brought us closer to the goal of equality, but the work is far from finished. There are still barriers to break, still doors to open, and still talents to be recognized and celebrated. Just as Shirley Chisholm fought to make her mark on the world, so too must we continue to fight for the voices of all women to be heard, and for their contributions to be valued.

And so, O children, the lesson is clear: never underestimate the talent that resides within every human being. Whether that talent is in the form of art, science, leadership, or creativity, it is the right of every person, regardless of their gender, to have the opportunity to express it. It is the responsibility of society to create spaces where all people can thrive, where no one is held back by the constraints of tradition or prejudice. Do not let the skirt define a person’s worth, nor the expectations of society limit their potential. Support those who fight to break down these barriers, and work to ensure that every individual has the freedom to chase their dreams.

So, O children of the future, I say to you: recognize the talents of those around you, and do not allow gender, race, or any other external factor to obscure the greatness within. The world is full of untapped potential, and it is your task to ensure that no talent is ever lost simply because of the way someone is born. Let your actions speak to the equality and justice that all people, regardless of their gender, deserve. In this way, you will honor the legacy of those like Shirley Chisholm, who fought to make the world a better place for all to thrive, not just for those in positions of power, but for every human who has the ability to change the world.