In Canada, it wasn’t until 1916 that women got the right to vote, starting in the Province of Manitoba. Much progress was made toward women’s property rights and right to earn the same wages for the same job before then, but it was a long, slow haul. In 1920 women gained the right to vote in Federal elections.

If you have the right to vote and you don’t, why not? So many people say that their vote “doesn’t count” but, you know, when too many people go with that logic, the tide is turned, rights can be lost, and equality is endangered.

Celebrate Women’s Suffrage Day with me. Women won a big battle in North America by getting this right. We ought to remember how hard that fight was and honor those women who went toe-to-toe against the men (and women) who opposed the idea.

Check out this wikipedia article about Women’s Suffrage, and this timeline of Women’s rights in Canada. They’re both fascinating and help you see how precious our rights are today.

One of the important things many of us do at the end of the year is send greeting cards to friends and families. The cards might be wishing for a Happy Hanukkah, Joyful Kwanza, Merry Christmas, Happy Winter Solstice (which is a big holiday in my book) or even a simple Happy New Year. Aside from the bounty Hallmark receives for this tradition, it’s also a way to connect with people we might not otherwise visit with through the year. My insurance guy, for example. He always sends a Thanksgiving card, though I rarely have need to talk to him; it reminds me that he’s there, watching out for us.

December is Write A Friend Month. Is that perfect or what? So I urge you to take the time to reach out to friends, family, acquaintances, colleagues, and drop them a card or a letter. (E-cards are cool, too. That’s what I always send because I love the animations and the music.) Connect with people.

Write someone and they might become your new best friend!