inciting meaningful change
DESCRIPTION
how women achieved change in society, aquring equal rights and universal sufferage.TRANSCRIPT
Dear Readers,
This month, our issue is all about the change
that started the women’s suffrage movement.
As you know, this magazine is all about
change in the world and we thought it could not be more appropriate than
to focus on women, since the anniversary of the passing of the 19th
amendment is soon coming. Before actually putting this issue together, the
entire staff was given a question; what incites meaningful change? We
received many different responses, but we narrowed our answer to three
words; voice, perseverance, and community. McKenna and I, and also the
entire staff, believe that these three words represent what it takes to start
meaningful change. In this issue you will read incredible stories all
focused on this one idea to answer what incites meaningful change. As
you read through these pages, we want you feel inspired to incite change
within your own community, in hopes of becoming a better member of
society. We hope you enjoy our newest issue!
Your co-editors,
M and M
Table of Contents
Main stories
One heart, One mind, One goal, Girl Scouts-page 10-11
Help in Georgia-page 12
Mckenna Cotterman’s meaningful song-page 13
The short story of Elephant women-page 14-18
Side stories
Monthly horoscope-page 19-20
One Heart, One Mind, One Goal
Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts 1960 Present Day
Interviewed By Vivian Shortwood
Thin mints, cookies, uniforms, brownies, badges. These items all come to
mind when thinking of Girl Scouts. I was never a member, even though I should
have been. The lessons preached in Girls Scout tribes such as perseverance,
independence, courage, and support are important for young girls to learn and
utilize in the future. In the suburb of New York, a group of teenagers from
Bridgeport, Connecticut put these lessons to use during their annual marketing
competition. Their task; sell the most cookies in a month. Their achievement;
they made over 20,000 dollars selling cookies, which went to help charities and
change lives. We were so astounded by their accomplishment that we wanted to
interview them and learn the secrets on how change begins. The group is made
of 10 girls ranging from 13 to 16. Their names include Madie, Jenna, Gina, Rose,
Meaghan, Annabella, Raquel, Bridget, Sam, and Jesse.
Shortwood: So ladies, you must be very proud of your accomplishment
Girls: Yes we are, it’s crazy all the attention we are getting from just selling
cookies.
Shortwood: After learning about the competition, what first came into all of your
minds?
Gina: Well I think we all are pretty competitive so we all really wanted to win,
which is what I think really motivated us to sell all those cookies.
Group: We all definitely agree with that and we also wanted to win so we could
help our community since all the money we made went to charity.
Shortwood: Wow that’s very sweet of you all. What do you believe is the secret
to your success?
Jesse: I believe the support from the community really was the force behind the
train. Without them, we would have nobody to sell to and nobody to help
advertise us.
Sam: I would definitely agree with Jesse on that. This may seem like a weird
connection but it almost reminds me of The Crucible, which is book a couple of us
are reading in English. The way Abigail took control of her town and completely
changed it was because of the community of girls willing to help her. Without
that community of girls behind her, she would have never changed that town.
Bridget: I believe the secret to initiating change is definitely to have a community
behind you. Change can never happen with just one person, one needs people
supporting her to help actually change things.
Shortwood: Well thank you ladies, for you incite and your time. You girls should
all be very proud of yourself.
Help in Georgia
A growing awareness of women’s rights in the Middle East are recently more profound,
however in Georgia, citizens have a “backwards” attitude of women’s rights. A recent, pronoun
story about the inequality of women’s rights resides in the country Georgia. The story starts by a
woman deciding whether to abort her child or keep it, without the support of a husband to help
her. However, in Georgia, it is looked down upon to be a single parent and it is most likely the
family of the woman will beat her or disown her. Women have been set a place in society and are
not aware of their civil rights.
Women in Georgia have been victims to violence for many years and are caught in
traditional ways of society. In Pankisi, a city in Georgia, “honor killings” still occur, where child
brides are either given away by their parents or kidnapped by their “fiancés”. Hundreds of
women are taken across the country against their will and their perpetrators only received a fine.
The Anti-Violence Network of Georgia has claimed that one out of three women are victims of
violence. However, most women do not acknowledge their indifference and wish to keep matters
between their families.
Evidently, Georgia needs to take immediate action in educating society to show it is not
acceptable to harm women and take them against their will. Georgia has signed an international
human rights treaty to require investigative measures to avert violence against women.
Nevertheless, the government lacks any reform policies to achieve change within society. A new,
non-government organization called a Voice of a Woman, has been working with Georgia to
aware the people of women rights. This organization works directly with the women and
children of the country to promote the welfare of the people and inform them of equality that is
ensured to them. The Catalyst has been a recent sponsor of the organization and welcomes any
donations to help the women in Georgia. We believe that change requires a voice, a strong voice
to speak out, and the Voice of a Woman Organization will make their voice known.
Already The Catalyst has seen improvement within the country with the help of this
organization. Their voice is heard throughout the country by millions of people. We have seen
that more women are speaking up for their rights and against violence known in their country.
However, this new-found voice is not enough. The Voice of a Woman needs more voices to be
heard. One way to help this organization is to buy a song made specifically for the women of the
country on ijuice.com. The song is called Voice of a Woman and all the proceeds will go directly
to the Georgian women.
Women of Georgia
Here are the lyrics to Voice of a Woman:
Have you ever really thought about
The chances that lie before you
And the dreams you chase ahead
Have you ever really reached out
And seen your dreams reaching back
And followed where they led
I'm calling out but no one seems to notice
Someone tell me
Why can't they hear
Where free is more than safety
And actions more than words
We will rise and march into history
After the call we have heard
We will show that we are better
Than the people we have been
And you'll see me as a sister and a friend
And we'll walk together onward till the end
With the voice of a woman
No more just thinking about it
Time to be the change you want to see
It's more than you and me
You can't ignore our song
And change is coming someday soon
And time is running out
No more empty sacrifice
Injustice finally pays a price
It's time to finally make you see
Every woman, this is your song
Stand up and believe we are strong
Follow with your heart and sing along
With the voice of a woman (x3)
The story of the Elephant woman
By: Elise Wyler
As my boss, the editor and chief, Margaret Callaghan was looking through her
grandmother’s attic; she stumbled upon an old chest filled with treasures unknown. She
proceeded in unlocking the dusty, rickety, and somewhat depressed looking chest, to find a
journal written by her ancestor from the 19th
century. Margaret spent an entire three hours of her
Saturday afternoon indulged in this journal that her ancestor, Edith, wrote to her daughter about
the struggles of her everyday life. Margaret was intrigued by the hardship Edith endured through
her journey as a striving politician, and since this issue is based upon change and women, I found
it a coincidence that she found this journal only a week ago. The journal does not only answer
the question which our issue is based upon; what incites meaningful change, but also brings the
aspect from a women’s view. Edith Callaghan eventually succeeds as a politician, proving that
perseverance is a key to any amount of success and it is the final piece of the answer to The
Catalyst residing question. The story of Edith Callaghan is inspiring, revolutionary, and really
makes us modern women realize how fortunate we are today. Multiple journal entries are
printed bellow but if you would like to read the entire journal, please visit our website.
January 4, 1856
Dear daughter,
I have decided to start journaling all the important moments in my
life, so one day you can what your ma did for you. I hope you look at this
journal as documentation of the suffrage of women. In this journal, you
will see what we had to endure, overcome, and battle against. Do not
read this and cry, but look at them as inspiration for your future. I do not
want you to take any freedoms you have for granted because so many
women fought very hard for what you have today. As the beginning of my
journal I would like to start with some very important news, your ma will
be running for city council. I hope to become the first women with a
council chair in Boston, then the country, and finally the world. Success
will not be easy, as to which I already know, but hopefully worth the risks.
My daughter, if you want to make change in this world, you must never be
scared of failure.
Yours truly,
Ma
March 18, 1856
My Daughter,
As the pages of the calendar turn away, so does the hope in my heart
for the success of my campaign. I have held a weekly bulletin in which I
intended for citizens of the community to come and list their grievances.
As a politician it is my responsibility to listen to the people and represent
them to the best of my ability, which was my goal for the bulletin. It was
unsuccessful however, since only a few women in my town arrived and did
not have any opinion of political issues. This idea may not have been
successful, but I am not giving up. Just because there is one bump in the
road does not mean the rest of the traveled path will be lost. Daughter,
you must never forget these words. My generation cannot change
everything we hope to, but when your generation gets its chance, do not be
afraid of failure. When you fail, you learn of your mistakes and then can
fix those mistakes next time.
Yours truly,
Ma
May 27, 1856
My dearest daughter,
There are only a few months till the election and my campaign is
starting to receive momentum. Women in Boston have finally found the
courage and perseverance they need in order to speak for their rights.
After the event in which a courageous woman performed at city hall,
many women in the city realized that they needed to be just as courageous
as her. Many of them have always agreed with my views but were too
afraid to speak up. After the event, women from all over started to state
their own opinion, and others realized they should do the same.
Daughter, if you have an opinion voice it. Do not be afraid if people
disagree with you or critique your views. I promise, at least one other
person will agree with you. Even in the slightest chance nobody does,
remember, at least you tried. To me, that is not a failure, but a success. If
you have enough courage to voice your opinion and neglect what people
may think, that is success within yourself. I will always be proud of you, no
matter what you accomplish in life, but I do not want you to be scared of
the world and the obstacles it may bring to you. I know you can overcome
them and I want to voice my confidence to you that I know you succeed
with courage and perseverance.
Yours truly,
Ma
Horoscopes
An aruarius is clever and original; Pisces, speak out in the Aries, although determination a very hardworking woman. This business place! Your voice may and activism are your strong month you will find new, inivative be small, but it is not unheard. characteristics, do not lose ways to show ideas to business Use your creativity and sight of your main business partners! However, beware of understanding to inspire goals. Stay on task even procrastination! one another. if the road ahead is bumpy!
Taurus! Finance is your specialty, Gemini, focus on one task Cancer, resolve your you know where money lies and ahead, and stop dispersing emotional issues before the path to achieve success. Take your energy on things not endangering your compatibility caution when dealing with new wanted. Once you focus on with your work associates. Separate surroundings, you never know your main goal, success will work from the outside world, and who will try and cheat you! naturally come to you. transfer that energy into work.
Leo, you will have amazing Virgo, your independence Libra’s, a very special control in your workplace and in the workplace is astounding, opportunity is heading your be dominating in superiority; but remember to swallow your way and you’ll need to rid be grateful for what you have. pride and ask for help if needed. your laziness and work hard.
Sagittarius, use your conversational Capricorn, you will eventually lead in skills to lead the way on your career path. your business if you are patient and kind. Do not be afraid of commitment because it Change is coming someday soon, so keep will prosper in your favor, but only if you are an open mind when new opportunities willing to take risks. come your way.
We hoped you enjoyed this month’s issue of
The Catalyst!