This community opinion was contributed by community member Lauretta Avina. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. BenitoLink invites all community members to share their ideas and opinions. By registering as a BenitoLink user in the top right corner of our home page and agreeing to follow our Terms of Use, you can write counter opinions or share your insights on current issues. Lea este articulo en español aquí.

Dear Editor and residents of Hollister/San Benito County,

I cannot stay silent. To all women, for those of you who are married/were married and had children, did your life truly begin when you embraced the roles of wife and mother? I’m confident your answer is a resounding no. Yet, despite our diverse paths and achievements, we were confronted with archaic and discriminatory remarks at a college graduation ceremony a few days ago. These words, uttered with an air of judgement, cut deep, undermining the years of hard work and dedication we poured into earning our degrees. The notion that the pinnacle of fulfillment for a woman lies solely in raising a family not only belittles our accomplishments but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes. We refuse to be reduced to mere vessels for domestic duties. We are scholars, scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, and leaders in our own right. Our worth extends far beyond the confines of traditional gender roles.

In 2024, we stand firm in our autonomy and agency. We choose our paths, whether they lead us to marriage, motherhood, careers, or all of the above. We are empowered to define success on our own terms, free from the constraints of outdated expectations. We are not relics of the 1950s, confined to narrow boxes crafted by societal norms. We are the embodiment of resilience, bravery, and intelligence. We navigate the complexities of life with grace and grit, juggling multiple roles and responsibilities effortlessly. The recent remarks made by Harrison Butker not only insulted women but also disregarded the LGBTQ community. Such language has no place in our society, let alone at a celebratory event like a college graduation. While everyone is entitled to their beliefs, no one has the right to demean or diminish the accomplishments of others because of those beliefs. We refuse to be silenced or sidelined by such ignorance. We raise our voices in solidarity, demanding respect, equality, and recognition for our contributions.