Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

Written by Breen Sullivan & Krissy Gately

The Fourth of July commemorates the official adoption of the Declaration of Independence in the United States on July 4th, 1776. At the core of the significance of this holiday is an acknowledgement and celebration of the shared belief that each citizen’s right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is inalienable.  Of course, in 1776 the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness was considered inalienable only for white men! Luckily we have come a long way since then, long enough at least to recognize that nothing could be more American than the ongoing pursuit of empowerment, equality, and social progress in our modern society.

In that spirit, we would love to cast a spotlight on several women whose triumphs and contributions in the fight for independence (and the worthy ideals it represented) have largely been left out of the narrative.  We all know that history is written by the winners, by those with the power and with the loudest voices.  It is therefore no surprise many ‘quieter’ voices go unheard, and we often only get half the story when it comes to our own history.  So let’s take a moment to think about the bigger picture as we gear up for Independence Day: 

Abigail Adams: Abigail Adams was the wife of John Adams (the second President of the United States).  Abigail was involved in early American politics, and she was known for her intellect, passion, and political insights. She gave her husband political advice throughout the construction of the Declaration of Independence, writing him over one thousand letters pertaining to American freedom and rights.  Obviously, Abigail had a lot to say on the subject, and we can certainly imagine the influence her intellect, passion and insights may have had on formulating our core American values. 

Mercy Otis Warren: Mercy Otis Warren was an influential writer and playwright. She wrote political plays, poems, and skits that supported America’s fight for independence. Her works not only contributed to the shaping of public opinion but also fostered support for the revolutionary movement in its early stages. She was instrumental to the grass roots movement that ultimately launched the Revolutionary War.  We know all too well that a pen is often mightier than 10,000 swords (or bayonets)! 

Martha Washington: As the wife of George Washington, the first President of the United States, Martha Washington played a significant role in supporting the American Revolution. She accompanied her husband during the war and was instrumental in ensuring troops received medical assistance, uniforms, and supplies. Martha also played an active role in several charitable organizations during the Revolutionary War, that helped shape the landscape in a variety of ways, including ensuring monetary aid to the families of lost soldiers. Sounds to us like Martha may have been George Washington’s secret weapon – the brilliant and competent COO to his CEO.

Betsy Ross: And there was Betsy Ross- she designed the flag that captured the spirit of patriotism and honor that characterized the Revolutionary War era and galvanized the troops!

And of course, America’s war for independence didn’t herald widespread emancipation for enslaved people of color, and many fought and died for freedoms that remained out of reach. Even if we don’t know all the stories, simply acknowledging and celebrating the stories we do know – and the fact that countless unseen women and people of color have shaped American history – gives us a more accurate view of our past and inspires future generations of women.

Additionally, an argument can be made that the Declaration of Independence- and all that went into it- created the framework and backdrop that empowered subsequent generations to effectively fight for gender equality. The belief that it is possible to create a society where the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness is safeguarded for all its citizens, regardless of gender or race (or any other status) is the backbone of feminism.  We learned that from the indomitable RGB, God rest her soul. 

Abigail, Martha, Mercy and Betsy are also a testament that women have always been capable, brilliant, strong, and fearless.  Despite this fact, women hold an estimated 14% of private corporate board seats.  Limiting our potential and our talent pool as a nation and as a society doesn’t do anyone (or our economy) any favors.  There are millions of private companies in this country that employ hundreds of millions of people.  Those companies have policies and practices that impact all of their employees and customers, and they generate revenue that powers our economy.  Because we know companies are more profitable and create more value when there is diversity at the leadership level, we are all missing out because of this imbalance. 

There is also a large gender wealth gap, that is closely related to the lack of women in positions of leadership and in the boardroom as well as the comparatively outsized opportunities men have to access capital and invest.  The bottom line is that any gender-driven power and wealth gap is ultimately prioritizing the lives, freedom and happiness of 50% of the population above the other 50%, an inequity that is unamerican and shrinks the pie for us all.

If you are feeling patriotic this July, we recommend you consider the ways you might be able to continue the fight for liberty and justice for all, whatever that might be. 

Happy Independence Day!