As I ponder the meaning of today (Independence Day), I am struck by how much this day pales in comparison to the historical moment when the Supreme Court decision same down on June 26^th. I’ve always been somewhat bothered by the words in the Declaration of Independence because the founding fathers meant them in an even more narrow fashion than written. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Women were specifically excluded, as were African Americans. In fact, the men referred to in the Declaration of Independence were white, property owning men.

Later, during the suffrage movement, the women used these words and conveniently changed the intent of the word man to mankind. In their opinion mankind did indeed include women. I am not sure our founding fathers would have agreed. In the early women’s rights movement, activists modeled the Declaration of Sentiments after the Declaration of Independence and changed the words to “all men and women are created equal.”

It is interesting to note that the idea for full human equality, including women, was discussed in 1776. Abigail Adams tried to advocate to her husband, John Adams, that the Continental Congress should “remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them.” Unfortunately this didn’t quite resonate with the men.

This all makes me wonder if instead of our founding fathers creating the Declaration of Independence, what our world would be like today if there were a combination founding fathers and mothers (or if  it was just our founding mothers). Would we have gotten to the historic decision on June 26th earlier? Maybe we should shoot off fireworks a week earlier on June 26^th every year and make that our community’s new Independence Day. Okay, who’s with me on that? Who wants another holiday to celebrate? Just say….I do!

Speaking of historical moments – okay only historical in my private little pea brain. I never I thought I could do it, but I did. I wrote my first novel and it was published in April and then I wrote another and yet another. In just one short year, three of my novels will be published. I try not to play favorites, but I think my third, Locked Inside, is by far the best. It doesn’t come out until December. My second, Asset Management is due for release in less than a month (August 1) and you can read the first chapter at the Affinity site : First Chapter of Asset Management. My first novel, Love Forever, Live Forever, is already available in both e-book and print format. Links below will get you to all the places you can purchase my book.  Thanks for supporting!

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