Much earlier in our history, in 1620, no women were present at the signing of the Mayflower Compact. Then later, no women were present when men met in 1777 to compose the Articles of Confederation. No women were present in the hall in Philadelphia where men met and deliberated about “Independency” and the separation from Britain. No women were present when signatures were inscribed on the Declaration of Independence. And throughout our history no women were present at the signing of treaties. Women were wise and at times their ideas were sought by male relatives (Abigail Adams for example), but otherwise their opinions were disregarded by society in general.

From 1776 to 1789, a variety of efforts were made by a few to realize the nation’s Republican ideals. State governments were established in most states. Voting and office holding rights were expanded, but no women were included in spite of modest contributions to society in literature, health care, abolitionism and socialism. Imagine, it was 144 years before women were recognized as citizens who deserved the right to vote. As far as office-holding is concerned, it took another century for a woman to obtain a cabinet post when President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Frances Perkins as Secretary of Labor in 1933.

Sadly, these oversights were not singular mistakes. Our historic republic has been replete with injustices and unfair judgments. Somehow our country has survived and there were heroic deeds which tried to remediate where things had gone wrong.

Recently, I have come to believe that we, as a nation, are moving ahead on the wrong path. This has led me to a state of worry and despair. As a 96-year-old female voter who has an ancestor who fought in the American Revolution from 1777 to 1783 and a great-grandfather who served during the Civil War, I feel proud, yet deeply saddened, that the sacrifices they made for us have led this nation to a place where we are experiencing uneasiness and fear.

These thoughts about our future have prompted me to put my concerns in a sort of manifesto that I should share with others:

– Looking at so many misguided Americans who are attracted to a man devoid of a moral compass and exhibits bigotry, hatred, and is bent on revenge.

– Looking at the unprincipled ambition of a demagogue and potential dictator who admires and “sleeps with the enemy.”

– Looking at the divisiveness and anger in the state of politics in governments around the world.

– Looking at a Supreme Court whose members are too political, too biased and are driven to deprive Americans of their hard-fought freedoms.

– Looking at a Congress dedicated to punishing the opposition, rather than serving their constituents and not reaching “across the aisle” to compromise so that effective legislation can be passed.

– Looking at the climatic episodes of frightening damage caused by the warming of our planet, sparing no one and often hurting those most in need.

– Looking at the bellicose threats voiced by nuclear powers who make destructive alliances bent on destroying democracy.

– Looking at the loss of respect, tolerance, acceptance and kindness which is being replaced with prejudice, criticism, and outright cruelty

I profess the following:

Life has always been challenging but now we are living at a time when the dreams of most humans for the future may not be realized because our civilization as we know it, flawed as it is, may be on the verge of collapse.

Why the planet Earth was either gifted or condemned by the creation of human life is unknown.

Why the United States, in its search for a democratic republic and situated on a continent of promise and beauty, was anointed to be a beacon of hope for the world is unknown.

Over thousands of years humans have evolved; struggled, suffered and survived. Above all they have made mistakes and society is bearing the brunt of these errors now. Can life on this special tiny blue orb circulating in the mysterious vastness of space survive? Yes, it can! For every problem there is a solution. And now, in recent days, a ray of hope, however fragile is beginning to invade our consciousness.

People! Wake up! Women arise! Our time has finally come! Society, controlled by men for so long, needs a new start. One which will deliver to each life all the values so well deserved, so we can direct our own destiny in a land where respect and love are preserved and we can promote the values we all cherish. We can stand up with our votes and shout to all — WE ARE FREE!

(Joyce Henklein lives in Saranac Lake.)