Declaration of Womens' equality and the right to vote

Declaration of Women’s' Equality and the Right to Vote

Brazil, 1929

Boys and girls, Ladies and Gentlemen, but especially my fellow sisters, the women of Brazil:

Thank you for joining me here today. I am pleased to see your support and your presence gives me hope for a better Brazil. In fact, as I scan the crowd, I see the faces of Brazil. I see men and women, but more importantly, I see Brazilians. I see men standing next to women who are as capable of their men in making decisions. I women with intelligence, opinions and a perspective that no man can bring to our current political scene. I see a new Brazil where politics are made of Brazilians; not just men. I see Brazil through the eyes of a woman. I see order and progress.

The current political sphere resembles the round tent of a circus. Although we established ourselves free from the court spectacle of the Portuguese monarchy 30 years ago, we remain under the influence of a male-dominated system. Since the very day the Portuguese stepped foot onto our beautiful country, Men have corrupted life-giving, nourishing, maternal land with their systems and ideologies. They have driven our political system into an act of clowns, fire, cheering and jeering. For years, we as women have allowed men to run this political big-top. Like a ring-leader of a circus who paints his face and stands in the middle of the ring, commanding cheap tricks of illusion, men have directed us as woman into roles of submission. For years, we have sat in the corner of the circus tent, only daring to step into the spotlight when they swing their whip or boom their voice. Like tamed lions cowering in the corner, we as women have been to weak and to afraid to roar; we have been intimidated by a dressed-up man in the middle of the ring to the point where we have surpassed our voice, suppressed our power. However, like lions, now is our time to roar.

I propose that we as women enter into the political sphere, enter into the middle of the ring, roar and declare our right to vote. We as women must declare our rights of equality and we must speak out in our need to let our voice be heard.

When I look into the crowd, I do not see the Brazil of 30 ages past. I do not see a passive audience mesmerized by cheap tricks or talk. I see action. I see a country pregnant with possibilities. I see progress. I see order. Let us live out those powerful words of our dear flag, “Ordem e Progresso."

In the spirit of positivism, we must move forward as a country. If we only include males in the unification of our country, we are half as weak. Including women doubles our strength. If Brazil could appreciate the strength that lies in our female population, she would flourish as a country and progress to levels I cannot even imagine. So I urge you to imagine. Imagine a Brazil that listens to and appreciates the seasoned insight of women. Imagine a Brazil that is no longer a circus, but a nation. We are a nation of males and females; we are united in our love of Brazil; gender should not separate our minds. Imagine a Brazil that is not only ordered and progressive, but equal.

Do more than just imagine. Think. Speak. Act. Progress forward, women. Roar, let your voices be heard and refuse to give into the submission of silence. We must link together and make our debut as a troupe in the spotlight. It will be so stunning that when the men see the power we posses as women, they will have no option but to hear and to listen. We must vote. We must work to give women the recognition they deserve as Brazilians. We must work together to create a voice for the women of Brazil.

My fellow sisters, the roaring voice of Brazil will be strong. We as women will prove to men the strength of our voices, the power of our presence and the importance of our opinions. Step into the spotlight and roar. Together we walk, together we act. Do more that imagine, but act. Be the strong women you know you are and be the strong Brazilian I see in you. As a woman, I see a powerful and eqaual nation. I see order and progress. I see a new Brazil.