Born to be a Hero

Born to be a woman is an issue in a world where men believe they always know better. Men are causing more issues, but women must bear the next heir, preferably a male, work in the kitchen or give orders to the kitchen and to house workers, learn to sing, do needlework, and that's all.

I'm very tired of such idiocy. I don't want to be a man, but I do want the same opportunities as they do. I want to study law in university. I want to be a lawyer and help people get what they are owed.

I know it will be a long journey, but I am eager to take it. My father is my strongest supporter, and with his help, I plan to make changes in my life and possibly in the lives of other women.

My biggest role model was Lidia Poët.

Lidia Poët, the first woman in Italy to be admitted to the bar, was later revoked because the general attorney didn't appreciate the fact that a woman was better than all men.

Her bravery, strong will, and quick thinking have fascinated me my entire life.

The nineteenth century was disrupted by various epochs. Between 1850 to 1890, we had realism.

The "belle epoque" period lasted from 1880 until 1914.

The "Weimar Republic" followed, followed by hell: the Nazi era. In the year Lidia Poet died, the Federal Republic of Germany was established.

So, Lidia Poët lived through four distinct time periods marked by significant changes in society, political orders, medical breakthroughs, scientific discoveries, and, most importantly, the changing status of women.

This is also the time I would like to be a part of. To watch the ascent of women in positions they were unable to obtain prior to this. To see women attending university and studying whatever they want. To witness any change in the world. It took approximately two thousand years for humanity to arrive at this stage, with the invention of machines, rolling vehicles, flying balloons, and now planes, as well as experiments with chemicals to create new remedies.

This list is lengthy because science has recently accelerated. Men struggled to stay on top of things, whereas women were immersed in it all.

Due to the fact that they now were allowed to discuss openly about such topics and men beginning to listen. It was a lengthy process, but it was well worth it.

Some men even publicly advocated for women's rights and equality. Even if they were mocked, the women had taken the initial step and could no longer be stopped. Those who were still opposed to women holding or aspiring to high places were probably more concerned that women would not only be better but would also reveal many mistakes they had done.

Men were terrified of women, but because they were still in places where they didn't belong, the women struggled.

That was why these men had nothing else in mind but to mock the ladies and portray them as inept and foolish. Because they all knew that if they hired a woman, she would look more closely than they did, and she, or they, would stick their finger in the wound.

They wanted to escape this humiliation. As a lawyer, Lidia's life was difficult. However, because to her brother, she was able to continue practicing her trade, albeit unofficially.

I, too, would not have given up. After all, Lidia was accepted and completed her doctorate at the institution.

I would have done the same thing. I would also write pieces in newspapers about the horror of being a woman in a male-dominated society. England had a queen who issued orders, and everyone obeyed! All of these males, who did not want women in positions of power, followed crowned female heads at the same time: Mary of Spain, Isabella of Portugal, and Victoria of England, to mention a few. And the wives of monarchs had a lot to say and did as well.

So, if men could obey orders from crowned heads, what was the problem with ordinary citizens? As a lawyer, I would have battled for my admittance on the "parquet of justice" in protest of this travesty.

The realism that followed the romantic enabled Lidia to communicate with one another more easily by using vernacular. Talking to each other became easier for both parties. Things were taken as they are, not as one would like them to be. This brought them closer together. The rich class was no longer so far from the middle class. As a lawyer, this was beneficial. It tore down previously existing walls.

However, it also demonstrated how far the population had to go in terms of demanding rights. Everything was in motion.

Then there was the Belle Epoque era. It originated during the extended period of quiet following the 1870s conflict. The main driving force was the second wave of the Industrial Revolution, with an emphasis on the chemical industry, electrical engineering, the steel industry, and transportation. At the locations of the factories, new or larger urban agglomerations grew. This resulted in unique health issues, as well as novel techniques for solving them. Medicine and hygiene advanced, infant mortality declined, and life expectancy increased. Workplace attitudes shifted. Manufacturing processes were rationalized in industry through the division of labor, and work became more monotonous but no less demanding.

People throughout this time period were clearly more materially secure than previously, and they were hopeful about political, technical, and cultural prospects. The Belle Époque took place mostly on the boulevards of major cities, in cafés and cabarets, studios and galleries, music halls and salons, and was supported by a middle and upper middle class that benefited the most from technological and economic advancement. However, in these environments, an extraordinary, extremely dynamic cultural development can be observed in just a few decades.

Pleasure vacations were increasingly appealing because of existing well-developed transport networks and lowering fares, increased leisure time (of the bourgeoisie), and expanded financial capacity. The world exhibitions (which began in 1851 in London) were popular tourist destinations. In 1889, the Eiffel Tower was the star of a particularly remarkable display in Paris.

As the number of international scientific conferences expanded, so did the number of international associations. Furthermore, the first modern Olympic Games were held with tremendous success in Athens in 1896.

The November Revolution resulted in the establishment of the Weimar Republic. Germany had a parliamentary democracy for the first time. The republic inherited various structural issues from the imperial era, including the economic and social order, as well as denominational school policies. There were further events that had a direct impact on the demise of Weimar democracy. The Weimar Republic's history can be divided into three phases based on its starting period. The republic had to deal with the direct results of the war, hyperinflation, and multiple attempted coups and political assassinations during the years of crisis from 1919 to 1923. It enjoyed a period of relative stability, economic recovery, and foreign policy recognition and regard from 1924 until 1929. The global economic crisis that began at the end of 1929, the presidential cabinets formed following the dissolution of the grand coalition on March 27, 1930, and the advent of the National Socialists all contributed to their demise.

Culturally, the Weimar Republic was characterized by Germany's first breakthrough in mass culture (broadcasting, cinema, popular music, etc.) as well as avant-garde currents in the arts, some of which existed prior to the war.

Finally, Germany became a Nazi state. A period marked by highs and lows.

Lidia had numerous opportunities to demonstrate her intelligence and wisdom during these epochs. It's difficult to keep up with these periods of time, which came so soon after each other with so many advances. Every day, one was bombarded with knowledge so unique that it took months to process. But it was also the time when you could finally put your skills as a woman to the test and establish them.

There were good and horrible moments, light and dark, boring, and exciting, times you wouldn't want to miss if you were born there. For me, this nearly century-long period is the most significant in the evolution of Homo sapiens. However, it is also the darkest period in human history. I still don't want to waste this opportunity.