DL Opinion columns

Lessons from the September loss of iconic women – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

September has seen the loss of incredibly influential woman locally, nationally and internationally. Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem left huge footprints with their passion for making a difference. But before we get to them, let’s take a look at several other historic women who died in past Septembers. They symbolize the power of women to create positive change and demonstrate how current leaders with negative views of women need some history lessons. 

A favorite historic woman is Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom who died on September 8, 2022. She served in the military during World War II as a truck driver and mechanic. As royalty, she didn’t have to do that. But she devoted her life to the betterment of others then, and for the next 70 years when promoted to queen. Her funeral service at Westminster Abbey was attended by representatives from 168 countries including 18 monarchs, 55 presidents and 25 prime ministers.

Bessie Smith, born in Chattanooga, is another ‘queen’ whose 1937 death was also in September. She began life as an orphaned Chattanooga street performer. Her amazing career at Columbia Records included best-selling recordings like “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”. Smith’s music stressed independence, fearlessness, and women – noting that all working-class women are worthy of respect. Columbia Records nicknamed her ‘Queen of the Blues’. The national press promoted her to ‘Empress of the Blues’ and she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. It’s wonderful that our Bessie Smith Cultural Center and its music continues to inspire Chattanooga. 

Moving from queen to empress, we now go to sainthood. Mother Teresa, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Catholic nun died on September 5, 1997. Pope Francis promoted Mother Teresa to sainthood in 2016, praising her as an “eloquent witness to God’s closeness to the poorest of the poor”. Mother Teresa founded Missionaries of Charity and walked through slums washing the sores of children and caring for the sick and dying lying on the side of the road. By her death, the Missionaries of Charity had grown to 610 foundations in 123 countries around the world and September 5 is now the International Day of Charity.

Dolly Parton’s recent passing echoes the success and humanity of these historic ladies. She began life as one of 12 siblings in a one-room cabin. Her amazing accomplishments won 11 Grammy Awards, 3 Emmy Awards, as well as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, National Medal of Arts, Kennedy Center Honor, and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Just as impressive was her charity work: the non-profit Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library which have expanded the opportunities for countless children. Also outstanding were her contributions to hospitals, medical centers, and LGBTQ/AIDS groups, as well as disaster relief, wildlife, and conservation. No wonder Tennessee’s governor is promoting renaming the Nashville International Airport in Dolly’s honor. 

Gloria Steinem was no queen, but she established Ms. Magazine, part of the feminist movement. Women connected, collaborated and advanced women’s rights resulting in the promotion of women in the workplace and government. I’m super grateful that this college grad gained new job opportunities that offered promotions. Not happy as a secretary making coffee for male employees’ openly demonstrating their sexist crap by singing ‘D Cups’ about my female assets.

Incredibly, those advances are being reversed. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth removed military women from powerful positions and won’t promote women. And women reporters are being insulted, harassed and banned from the White House. Further, proposed legislation would force married women to vote through their husbands.

Honor these historic women. Vote in November against any reversals of their legacies.

Editor-in-Chief
Latest posts by Editor-in-Chief (see all)