Wednesday, March 8, 2017

On Respecting Women


President Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington D.C. 20500
March 8, 2017 

Dear President Trump,
Do you know what today is?  Of course you do…..International Women’s Day!   A day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women past, present, and future.
Today would also have been my father’s 86th birthday were he still alive today.  He had five daughters besides his one son.  My father never once made us feel that we were anything less than amazing by virtue of being daughters rather than sons. Yet sadly, millions upon millions of people worldwide seem to think it is acceptable to treat women poorly with low pay, abuse, and disrespect.  Isn’t that terrible? 
According to the United Nations, a study in 2012 found that 92 per cent of women reported having experienced some form of sexual violence in public spaces in their lifetime, and 88 per cent of women reported having experienced some form of verbal sexual harassment (including unwelcome comments of a sexual nature, whistling, leering or making obscene gestures) in their lifetime.  
Can you fathom that? About 9 out of every 10 women on Earth has felt denigrated, maligned, unsafe in the presence of others.  I’m sure you would agree that that is not tolerable.  You would not want to add to those numbers. 
I’m sure you also want to show that you too honor, respect, and support women’s causes in our nation and world.  Feel free to tweet positive, supportive messages using  #WomensDay or #DiadelaMujer or # JourneedesFemmes—those last two would probably really impress international audiences. 
Furthermore, I think you should consider using the POTUS handle instead of your personal one.  Wouldn’t that really, really send a tremendous message to all other nations that you, the President, recognize the equality and importance of women in a world that does not always treat women as equal and important? 
And then, after this once-a-year day is past, you will want to think of other ways to honor all women with your words and actions every ordinary day. 

Sincerely, 

A. Boerman-Cornell

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