I agree with pretty much everything you say, Long-Time, but I remain bothered by the fact that some women use (and perhaps need) these kinds of messages to get up and vote. Their gender doesn’t matter. Their history of not having the vote does not matter. What matters is that they exercise their right — like any other American — to (as you said) shape their government, community, and world.

Frankly, I believe that too many people are angry about the past to just let it go and move forward. By continuously dragging out the injustices of the past — including far worse ones like slavery and genocide — we keep that anger and hate simmering in the background. We need to get over it and move on.

Or perhaps I just don’t understand the mentality of women who doubt their equality and need messages like this to prod them to vote. It has never been a doubt in my mind.

On the one hand, I understand your reaction. I truly believe that everyone should vote. You shouldn’t need a special reason to vote. It is your duty, your responsibility and your privilege.

Unfortunately, the reality is this – not everyone votes. Many people have come to feel that their vote won’t make a difference. Many feel that the machine that is our government is simply too big to truly impact with a single vote.

For those who don’t have the same sense of responsibility toward voting, messages like this can inspire them to act. As someone who has worked in the field of corporate communications and change management, I am very aware that people need more than a sense of obligation to act. Just because something is “the right thing to do” doesn’t mean people will do it. Targeted messages matter and are often effective. Reminding women, or any group, how precious the right to vote is should not be considered a bad message or an insulting message.

Many women my age (I won’t share that detail right now) don’t have a memory of an America where women couldn’t vote, or an America where women didn’t have freedom over their reproductive systems. Reminding them why their vote matters and what is at stake is important.

I vote because I am an American citizen who wants to do all that I can to shape my government, my community and my world. I vote because I want to. I vote as a woman, as a mother, as a wife, as a citizen, as an educated person, as a member of the workforce…..you get the idea.

Maybe we can spend less time being offended by this stuff and spend more time understanding why these messages matter and how they can inspire people to take action.

Every time someone gets on the bandwagon about trivia, real issues like corporate glass ceilings continue to never get on the agenda. In effect, continually bleating about nonsense does the same as ‘talking out’ a Bill, the tactic used to prevent discussion but it’s so much worse when the apparent supporters are those doing it.

Good for you though, that you responded, I think most people would have just hit delete.