In the 1960s, when this stage of Women’s Rights began, I really believed that equality was achievable. I really believed that it would be different.

I went on many marches, attended many rallies, joined many organisations, and went to ‘consciousness raising’ seminars.

I recall at one the discussion turned to how women tear down other women. I recall clearly understanding how women are used against other women.

I remember there was a woman, a Republican, who fought against women’s rights and thought her Party would honour her, and how, when she wanted to be the Chair of the convention she was laughed at by the same men she had elevated.

To me, this was a life lesson. It became the subject of many discussions. How a woman who worked so hard to attack other women was kicked to the pavement by the men she had sold herself to.

I learned that either help another woman and if I can’t support her, just move to the back of the room and be quiet.

I thought every woman had learned it, had realised that men use women as tools against other women. That one woman will be ‘elevated’ and become a dagger to be plunged into the chest of all other women, and when she no longer has use, she’ll be tossed out as garbage.

As a feminist I worked hard to get ahead on my own. Although sleeping the way up the ladder was how it was done, I would not. So I never got up the ladder. All the females who reached the top did it on their backs or rode Daddy’s back.

In my country, if you have to apply for a job, you won’t get it. Jobs at the top are only given to bed partners, to blood relatives, and to people, or their children, owed money or a favour. The ‘best’ candidate does not get the post.

But in other countries I’ve watched women fight against another woman with such ferocity it is almost funny. I’ve seen them work so hard to get a man into power, a man who looks at them as potting soil. But they don’t realise it. To them being a woman means they are second best, unless it comes to changing nappies or getting stains out of a shirt.

Women are virtually exactly where they were in 1959.

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