In Contra Costa County, California, traditional gender roles are still highly valued. However, this did not stop women's suffrage associations from forming in 1869, beginning in San Francisco. In 1870, a large group from Martinez County and Livia Cox from San Ramón joined the cause. This was likely due to the fact that they had five daughters, two of whom, Mary and Panthea, married the main ranchers R.Male allies for gender equality are advocates who work together with women to eradicate and transform damaging relationships and gender stereotypes.
Men in parliament can play a crucial role in promoting gender equality by supporting temporary special measures for women, leaving space for women in key leadership positions, or sharing responsibility for tasks that are pejoratively considered feminine. A higher percentage of women in national parliaments is associated with numerous benefits for social and economic development. In the San Ramón Valley, many changes occurred in society during the new century. More women graduated from universities or regular schools for teachers, organized to restrict child labor, and supported legislation on pure milk. By 1910-11, there were five equal suffrage leagues in Contra Costa County (Concord, Walnut Creek, Danville, Martinez, and Oakley) and local newspapers supported the initiative. The San Ramón Hall was completed in 1911 and several San Ramón women promoted and raised funds for the Hall.
Small towns where no one had ever seen a suffragette woman learned about women's rights and the importance of the right to vote. It is necessary to use spaces of privilege to promote equal rights, but it must be done in a way that does not distract attention from women and from the victories of feminism, won with so much effort in recent centuries. Male allies must critically reflect on how it is possible for them to occupy a high position to advocate in the public sphere thanks to the subordination of other groups. By working together with women, male parliamentarians can change the rules of the game by transforming political cultures and institutions that defend harmful gender norms. While women's empowerment is a fundamental element of gender equality, gender equality is not a women's issue, nor can it be promoted solely through women's efforts in the public or private spheres. This portal is a joint initiative of ParlAmericas and the UN Women Multinational Office for the Caribbean, and was made possible, in part, by the financial support of the Government of Canada.
