Hero

I didn't start to become that interested in Martin Luther King Jr. or his ministry until maybe two years ago. In school we learned about him only superficially, going only as deep as the high points of his "I Have a Dream" speech, lumping him in with other African American leaders during a week in February (black history month). I found nothing particularly fascinating or overly interesting about him. If what I was taught in school was true, he was an effective civil rights leader during a turbulent time. I really couldn't have told you much more about him.

Then I read a book on inspirational Christian leaders that contained a short (maybe 35 page) biography of Dr. King, his faith, beliefs, non-violent practices, and his passion for all things just, from civil rights to compassion for those in poverty and I got really interested in this revolutionary man. There was so so much more to him than the cursory knowledge I had picked up in school. Dr. King truly was a man who lived out the gospel in its truest form.

It is because of Dr. King that I am able to have the family I have today. And that my sons are brothers, just as he dreamed fifty years ago. And that any of my children can and will marry whoever they choose, not based on race, but based solely on character and love.

In Biblical times, heroes as big as giants seem to emerge page after page - Abraham, Moses, Daniel, David. Men who led their people out of oppression, who wrestled angels, or survived lions, men who led vast armies to victories, or who slayed giant men with a flick of the wrist. Men like that don't seem to come around much anymore. But Dr. King was one of them. He led his people out oppression. He defied his enemies with no more than a speech. He heard God and obeyed. A hero of true biblical proportions, that enacted true justice on earth.

Women should Exercise

But not the kind of exercise that makes you all sweaty and gross and is hard. I mean, if you're in to that kind of thing, go for it. What I'm after is getting women to exercise their right to vote, and I don't care a lick who its for.

Let me take you on a short walk (pretty and painless I promise)through the history of the women's suffrage movement in the good ole U.S. of A.

1848 - the first time some women and men got to together in any official fashion to talk about voting rights. key words: Seneca Falls, NY. key people: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott key ideas: women and men should be treated equally under the law, voting rights for women.

1869 - a plan is formed! Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton draft legislation for a Constitutional amendment that would give women the right to vote.

1869 - WYOMING!!! becomes the first state to grant women the right to vote in state and local elections. This also lets women participate in jury service, so one victory and one defeat....

1893-1918- Sixteen more states get smart and give women the vote.

1920- on August 26th the 19th amendment (that same one that Susan B. Anthony wrote 50 years prior) is FINALLY signed into law, giving women the right to vote in federal elections.

It may have taken us 70 years and a lot picket lines to get, but in 1920 we finally achieved having a say with our national elected leaders here in America. This won us a lot more than just getting to stand in line on election day - this won us a piece of the national budget. Once women started voting, we started mattering to the policy makers in Washington D.C., who all of a sudden wanted our vote.

One startling but true statistic reports the reality of this situation. Prior to women receiving the right to vote, maternal health care in America was dreadful. In fact, more American women died in childbirth during World War 1 than American soldiers in battle. The average in 1915 was 608 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births. However, after 1920, health care for women started improving, and by 1940, a mere 20 years later, the rate had already declined to under 100 maternal deaths per every 100,000 live births. One reason for this was that in 1935 legislation (called Title V) was passed aimed specifically at bettering and promoting health care for mothers and children. Coincidence that this legislation was passed 15 years after women gained the right to vote?

By modern day, the rate is now at an average of 13 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. While that rate is among the lowest in the world, a deeper look will show us that we still have a long way to go.

First however, lets look at how some of our sisters around the world are faring in the health care arena.

In most of the majority world, women's health care is an afterthought at best. Prenatal care is not an option, and birthing options are extremely limited. Most women use a mid-wife if one is available and give birth at home. If they do choose to have their baby in a hospital, they most likely will be required to supply all their own medical supplies, including sheets, gloves, soap, etc... These supplies are expensive and most women do not have the means to pay for them.

Therefore, the tradition of having babies at home continues. While this is a tradition that has resulted in babies for centuries, it is a practice that puts the mother and baby in harms way. Unsanitary conditions cause postpartum infections, which is the number one cause of maternal mortality in third world countries.

And while mid-wives provide a valuable service, they are not trained doctors or surgeons, so they are unable to provide key medical interventions when desperately needed. Another high cause of maternal deaths in the third world is sepsis and other complications that accompany a woman not able to get a c-section in time.

These are the realities. One mother dies every minute in the majority world due to a pregnancy related complication. She may leave her baby behind. She may leave other children behind. They may be cared for, they may not. Maternal health care is one piece in the puzzle of the orphan crisis, of the overall static economic picture of the majority world.

Policy changes at the highest levels of governments are needed. Education for girls is needed so that they can be informed and vote and rise up and become national leaders and change their countries on a federal level. Ground support is needed. Basic health education is needed for women. So much is needed. Women need to know they are valued and they matter. Every message their society sends them says the opposite.

And before we get all high and mighty, let's revisit our own statistics. Although we enjoy the best medical care in the world; although we can go to hospitals and there are surgeons that are capable of amazing feats, who can operate on our babies in the womb; we send some very disturbing messages as well. 13 mothers on average die per every 100,000 live births, but this is just the average. In actuality, the rate is triple that among African American women, and is also higher among Native Americans.

What is the message our society is sending? If you are white you matter, if you are black you don't? Are you disturbed? Bothered? I am. That's why I treasure my vote.