Pugh

In 1912, our Fourth of July parade was a masculine affair. Only men were allowed to “strut and stare” as they processed along the parade route.

The ladies watched, some waved, some even smiled, but most, I suspect, snickered, for they knew something was terribly amiss and they knew what it was.

To see the surviving soldiers of the Horse E. Parker Post of the Grand Army of the Republic — our Civil War veterans — would have been a real honor. It would have been an honor, too, to see the men of our own Company D and our Spanish-American War veterans.

They all marched that day.

It would have been a pleasure to hear the Boys’ Band play and to hear our all-male chorus sing, “Hail Columbia.” It would have been interesting to see the different floats, manned by the all-male members of secret societies and various social and professional organizations.

But many in attendance that day saw their attention wane and their vision blur as city, county, state, and assorted unassigned officials sauntered by. It was too much to endure, necessitating a surreptitious pull on a concealed flask to get them through.

Watching a cluster of male officials, in various states of debilitation, amble along pomposely isn’t my idea of a good parade, and it wasn’t theirs.

Why weren’t women allowed in the 1912 4th of July parade?

Because in 1912, women couldn’t vote. Since they couldn’t vote, they couldn’t participate in decisions. Women were consigned to “Their place,” and their place — as determined by men — was not in a parade.

It wasn’t until eight years later, on August 18th, 1920, that the 19th Amendment was ratified, securing the right to vote for all women, that parades began to improve.

The final state to ratify the amendment was Tennessee; it approved it by a vote of 49 to 47. In view of the fact that parades would improve – how could they not – why was the vote so close?

Here’s a breakdown of the arguments advanced against women’s suffrage:

The mothers of this country should keep to their places and attend to those duties that God Almighty intended for them.

The women who want to vote are abnormal, heretical rabble-rousers.

They will ruin a governmental system that is working well.

Their sex is not suitable for the task.

Men are smarter and can run things better.

A woman’s place is in the home

Sound familiar?

Unfortunately, it appears that parade-diminishing snobbishness is returning. Once again, we are witnessing some men’s need to exclusively “strut and stare.” The beauty of our parades are threatened.

“Pentagon leaders have spent months purging stories and photos about historical achievements by women in the ranks, and eliminating diversity and inclusion programs.”

Military Times (01/06/2025)

“Since taking office, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered the reversal of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the Department of Defense, halted reviews that examine gender bias in promotions, and disabled advisory committees in women’s integration.”

“Excluding or discouraging half the population – especially women who have already proven themselves in combat – is strategic self-sabotage. As former Navy Admiral Michelle Howard once said, Diversity is not about fairness; it’s about capability.”

“Freedom’s defenders come in every gender and color. To honor them means they can serve, lead, and be remembered without fear of erasure.”

Forbes (11/16/2025)

To have a good parade, we all have to march.

If we can’t, then, as it was with the parade in 1912, we may need a fortifying pull – or two – to see us through.

Which may have been Secretary Hegseth’s plan from the outset.