On Monday, International Women's Day, India's Upper House (Rajya Sabha or Congress) passed a bill for reservation for women to improve women's representation in the political process. The Bill may go to the Lower House (Lok Sabha or Senate) before March 16 for discussion and voting. If approved, it will groundbreaking. Right now, around 8 to 13 percent of women are representing the Indian government at different levels, and women make up 50 percent of India's population.
In honor of Women's History month, I interviewed several females in Local Talk's readership and sat down with Margarita Muñiz, Newark's Deputy Mayor of Neighborhood Engagement.
Dhiren Shah: In your opinion, what is the importance of Women's History month?
Margarita Muñiz: The single most important thing is to remember the sacrifices and struggles they have gone through and made realities of today. Women have gone from the kitchen to factories, to basketball, and now owners of basketball teams. At the college sector, thousands of women are coming up. Opportunities have opened up. They made sacrifices and I honor and celebrate them.
DS: Which woman do you respect most in your life?
MM: The single woman I most respect is my mother Donia Clara Muniz. So many women became leaders, including working in our church. Today, everything I have earned is because of my mother Donia.
There are still elements of imbalance. We have made many accomplishments in different fields. Many fields like the Boys Club are mostly men. Women were teachers and nurses. We didn't see in the United States reaching high leadership levels at various levels. We have the capacity to do what any other human being can do. We are equal. We are striving to do more.
DS: Did you have any difficult time growing up as a child?
MM: I don't think that was a problem, but there are two things I can remember. I am the youngest of 15 brothers and sisters. My mother did not enroll my elder brother in school and held back for one year, so I can go with him. My older brother was going to the same class with me. So I had that very protective element as a child. Had I been the youngest son, that would not have been the same.
The second one was, when I went off to college, she wanted me to go to the same college where my sister was going. Here I go, from kindergarten to college; my mom was making decisions for me. It was a great success, because I have someone always there for me. The protection factor was helping me. I have a wonderful husband, two daughters and three grand children.
DS: Did you have any difficulty with your male counterparts while working with many organizations?
MM: I have been fortunate enough to have been well-respected, and most of the work I do is volunteer work. However, there are always cliques. The male may go to golf, hang out at the bar, so the relationship building is different. My priorities are different. I may go home and be the wife, be the mother, be the grandmother. Often times, it holds you back from being involved with the activities that can lead to great networking abilities.
DS: In your opinion, what will be the future of women 20 years from now?
MM: The future is ours to write and is ours to claim. The education we can give to our children can go beyond the glass ceiling, as educators or professionals of any field.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
