Women's rights have been hard-earned, and yet, they remain fragile. Even today, they are still being questioned, reminding us that nothing is ever truly won for good.

It is with this awareness that I chose to write this article with my 12-year-old daughter, Estelle, who is very sensitive to the current events regarding women's rights. Together, we want to pay tribute to the women who fought for these rights, paved the way for us, and whose courage continues to inspire future generations.

Because it is crucial to remember, recognize, and continue their fight.

THE RIGHT TO VOTE

Susan B. Anthony

Susan B. Anthony was born in 1820, in Adams, Massachusetts, USA.

She fought for women's suffrage by co-founding the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) in 1869, actively advocating for women's right to vote in the United States. In 1872, she illegally voted in the presidential election and was arrested, drawing attention to the injustice of denying women the right to vote.

She dedicated her life to promoting what would become the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, adopted in 1920, which guaranteed women the right to vote. She also campaigned for the abolition of slavery and equal rights for all.

Her legacy remains a symbol of feminism and the fight for equality in the United States.

Thérèse Casgrain

Thérèse Casgrain, a feminist activist and Quebec politician, was born in 1896 in Saint-Irénée.

She played a key role in the fight for women's right to vote in Quebec and in promoting social and political equality. She led the Provincial Committee for Women's Suffrage and actively campaigned for women to gain the right to vote in Quebec, which was achieved in 1940.

In 1951, she became the first woman to lead a political party in Canada when she took the helm of the Quebec Social Democratic Party. She also advocated for workers' rights, access to healthcare, and improved living conditions for the underprivileged. Additionally, she served as the president of the Canadian branch of Oxfam, an international humanitarian organization.

Thérèse Casgrain is a prominent figure in Quebec feminism and paved the way for significant advancements in women's rights in Canada.

THE RIGHT TO STUDY

Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist born in 1997, in Mingora, in the Swat Valley, Pakistan. She is known for her fight for girls' education and women's rights.

At the age of 11, she began writing a blog for the BBC under a pseudonym, exposing the restrictions imposed by the Taliban on girls' education in her region.

In 2012, she survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban while returning from school. After recovering, she became a global voice for education.

In 2014, at just 17 years old, she became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for her commitment to girls' education.

She founded the Malala Fund, an organization that funds educational projects for girls in several countries.

Malala continues to advocate for education and women's rights worldwide, speaking to leaders and inspiring many people.

THE RIGHT TO RUN

Bobbi Gibb

Bobbi Gibb was born in 1942 in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, and is an American runner and a pioneer of the women's marathon. She is known for being the first woman to run and finish the Boston Marathon in 1966, although she was not officially recognized at the time.

In 1966, the rules of the time prohibited women from participating in marathons, as it was believed that their bodies could not handle long distances. After her entry was rejected, Bobbi Gibb decided to run illegally by hiding in the bushes near the starting line and then joining the male runners. She completed the race in 3 hours and 21 minutes, finishing ahead of two-thirds of the male participants. Her achievement proved that women were capable of running long distances.

In 1996, during the 100th anniversary of the Boston Marathon, Bobbi Gibb was officially recognized as the first woman to have run and finished the race. Today, she is considered an icon of sports and feminism.

Bobbi Gibb changed the history of sports by proving that women had a place in marathons, paving the way for future generations.

Kathrine Switzer

Kathrine Switzer is an American marathon runner and activist, born in 1947 in Amberg, Germany. She is best known for being the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967, at a time when the race was restricted to men.

She registered under the name "K.V. Switzer" to conceal her gender. During the race, an official attempted to forcibly remove her, but she managed to finish the race with the support of her companion and other runners. This event drew worldwide attention to discrimination in sports. She continued to fight for the inclusion of women in long-distance races.

She contributed to the addition of the women's marathon to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. She founded the 261 Fearless Foundation to encourage women to take up running and gain confidence through sports.

Kathrine Switzer has become an icon of sports and women's empowerment, proving that barriers can be broken with determination and courage.

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In 1972, thanks to the efforts of activists like Gibb and Switzer, the Boston Marathon finally opened an official category for women.