Before -

Before you call me equal
Before you claim you're done
Before you say, "Stop fighting;"
Before you say we've won;

Before you quote a new law
or a ruling in a case
Before you say how now we wear pants
instead of lace;

Before you say it's over
Look at every day
Men who lounge at home
While women slave all day
Women working harder
though men receive more pay
Women being pushed around
Despite anything they say
Women who are harassed
Living in fear every day
All this happens
And you say it's okay.

Join the fight for our right
To speak and act the same
Realize we aren't equal yet
Despite any claim.

by R. P.,
Hamden, CT