January 1917

Dear Diary,

These recent days have had me worried about my fellow sister’s incarceration. We recently have picketed outside the White House in our continuous effort to get the Constitution amended for our right to vote. I vividly remember spectating as the woman on the white horse appeared at the first march. Inez, I believe her name was. At that moment, I so badly wanted to join in but I knew that my husband would disapprove. I sat thinking in my own dwelling reliving that moment and the power it fulfilled me with. Rather than being out fighting for me, my daughters Anna and Jane, and all women, I was stuck inside all day tending to my husband’s needs. Now only a year later, despite my husband’s wishes, I have broken the spell and joined the coven of suffragists. I am a suffragist, but no victim. However, my fellow sisters that I have devoted myself to are victims of the injustices of the system. Through their tireless efforts for our rights, they have been imprisoned and charged with treason. The guilt I dealt with after not being arrested was unbearable. The thought of my friends, no, family being tortured in a place they don’t belong haunts me. Even though my husband prohibits me from ever seeing them again, I still am updated with their status. I have heard that they are on a hunger strike. Maybe soon we will finally get what we have been working so hard to deserve. If I hear anything else I will update.

Elizabeth Rockwell

August 1945

Dear Diary,

Over these past years, the war has provided me with the opportunity to join the workforce. The honor of being able to work has been bestowed upon us women. Currently, I am working in a jewelry and clothing factory. Occasionally, I am called to perform as a nurse. I haven’t heard from my husband in the war for over a year now. Waiting, waiting, waiting, for a sign that he is okay. I have to reassure my children that he is just busy, and he will be back soon, but I am starting to believe that’s a lie. Every day I go to the post office just to make sure nothing from him has arrived. I guess we won’t know until the war is over. Besides the fear I have been dealing with, I quite enjoy being able to work now. Before the war, I would stay home doing the work of the house and taking care of the kids. Working outside the house makes me feel empowered, more important like I have a meaning. Some women, even my friends, have become plane technicians and are directly involved with the war. Before bed, I pray for them and everyone involved in the war, including my husband. The war however does seem to be coming to an end. I know that when the men return, most women including me will be forced out of jobs. I am grateful for this opportunity because my own beloved mother wasn’t able to do the things I am doing currently. She fought for me, my friends, and my children. She was a suffragist, a hero. Hopefully in the future women will have this opportunity again without the unfortunate circumstances. I will be patiently waiting for the next couple of weeks for the return of our soldiers.

Anna Rockwell

1981
Dear Diary,
Today is August 19th, 1981. I was woken up by the sound of the T.V in the living room blasting highlights from last night’s baseball game. Braves vs. Mets. My husband has spent all night on the couch. But, at that moment I didn’t care about baseball, no, I cared about Sandra Day O’Connor. I checked the newspaper to see that she had been appointed Supreme Court Justice. The first woman ever. I kept this excitement internal in an effort to hide it from my husband. I know that my husband still believes that women should do the needs of the house, even though it is 1981!!! I currently am a secretary at my daughter Eliza’s school, Peakview Elementary. Honestly, nothing is exciting about it, checking kids in and out, paperwork, nothing special at all. What I want to be is a scientist. I have always enjoyed science, especially in school. A’s every year. Seeing Sandra Day O’Connor become the Supreme Court Justice has given me a sense of hope for not even myself, but my daughter. She can become something more than a secretary. She will be independent, her own person. Thinking about this dream for myself always comes to an end after my husband comes home from work looking for a meal, or complaining that the house isn’t clean. My mother Anna Rockwell used to tell me that I could do anything and that our past citizens fought for us and our rights, including my grandma. When I was young my father died in the war and my mother then had to provide for us despite the challenges she was faced with being a woman in the workforce. She is my hero. I have already seen progress in women obtaining their bachelor’s degrees over the past couple of years. I know that won’t be me, but knowing that it is possible for other women brings me joy. The future of women is to come.

Addison Rockwell

November 3, 2020
12:00 AM

Dear Diary,

Today is the day, Trump vs. Biden. Trump has officially taken Texas, but Biden has almost gotten Georgia and Pennsylvania. I’m currently watching the T.V eagerly because a few states seem to be going back and forth between the two. I have voted for Biden and Kamala Harris. Right now I am on a FaceTime call right now with my friends, and they want to hang out later tonight, but I am still apprehensive about going inside places with this Covid stuff. I hate wearing masks, I hate the threat that it holds, I hate everything about it. Maybe I won’t go and just stay home to watch Netflix. If I hear any results about the election I will write again.

November 4, 2020

I woke up to the official news that Biden has won the election. This also means that Kamala Harris is the first-ever woman to become the Vice president. In 2016, Hillary Clinton almost made history by being the first woman to become president. However, she lost against Donald Trump. But now it seems to be a reality when there is a woman vice-president. This is a huge moment for all women. It makes me think about my family. My mother always wanted to become someone and make a difference. She herself always wanted to be a scientist, and I am proud to say that I am one. Being a woman in STEM feels so powerful. My mother’s mother was a huge asset in World War II, and also had dreams for women in the future. And finally, my great-grandma, who was a part of the movement for women’s rights and voting. 100 years ago, women weren’t allowed to do practically anything. Many didn’t work, they just tended to the home. I am so grateful that now I can do the things that she never had the chance of doing. She of all of my ancestors would be the most thrilled to hear that a woman is now the Vice President of the United States. I am honored to be named after her. Now I hope that our lives can become normal again, and after this pandemic, women can do even more for this country.

Eliza Rockwell