American Singer, Songwriter and Activist

Ari Melber sits down with musical icon Cyndi Lauper to talk about the repression of women's rights.
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[@reginayahara5002]

In 1998, I needed my husband's signed consent to have my tubes tied. I lost 2 babies & was told not to try again, cancer. He didn't need my consent for a vasectomy. WE WILL NOT GO BACK!

[@juliecote7479]

In 1998?? Wow- was that in the U.S? I got mine done at 25 yrs old because I had 3 kids and didn't want more children and wasn't even asked about my husband! I live in Canada so that's why I asked especially in '98

[@susanrhodes9079]

In the early 1960s my mother had to not only have her husband agree to it and give his signed permission, she had to be 30 years old and have had at least 4 children. Her credit cards were in his name then too. But in 1998? 😮 What state did you live in?

[@demariusperry9233]

No children under 30 were the old laws for women. No children ages between 28 and 34 depended on the state for men. NC,SC,GA, and AL all told me no as a man from 99-04 while I was in the Marines. Laws for women have exceptions, but most states still say no to childless men & women under 30, even Pro-choice states. Crazy right?

[@shlby69m]

@@juliecote7479 2021 Welfare wouldn't pay for tube tied until 3 kids. Why? Patriarchy wants control of population.

[@metstropolis]

Naw, id have said, "what makes you think I have a husband?" Especially in 98!

[@susancoffey419]

78 year old here. I ADORE Cyndi. She's brave and talented. She's admirable.

[@Scott-fy7fm]

I'm 45 and I feel the same way, she is a great role model

[@StrongCaramel]

And she still gives flaming hot concerts!! I have nothing but respect for her❤

[@birgitschenk6569]

78 really ❤ I wouldn't have guessed

[@ersheri]

I’m with you. I ADORE her! ❤

[@Brin-en8bl]

She looks great for almost 80

[@Vio-ot4ft]

Girls just wanna have equality. Thanks Cyndi! You are one of the good ones.

[@priscillarivers4210]

She’s telling the truth. Lived that life. We can’t go backwards

[@justkiddin84]

No going back.💪

[@musicalmagpie741]

Girls Just Want to have FUNdamental Rights!

[@melissaraelindyblues]

It’s equity but yes!!

[@Random-gp3tl]

Brilliant reference 🇺🇸💙

[@inairby4freedom]

My grandmother couldn’t get a bank account without my grandfather, who left her with four kids to raise. When he left, he told her “watch how everything you have will fall apart without me.” What about women whose men want them to fall apart. Grandma got her first credit card at Sears and built her credit and kept her home with her family because laws came into effect to help her do that. She was a Mexican. A true Mex i Can. “ I Can!” Let’s stand together ladies so that never happens to you or me! Mex I Can Women stand together!!!!!❤

[@petemavus2948]

I like that, I'll add... Amer WE can DO THIS !!! Vote Blue 2024 for Democracy *WE WON'T GO BACK* 🇺🇸 _OR_ forward with Project 25

[@CrochetIsLife54]

Por supuesto! 🇲🇽

[@petemavus2948]

@@CrochetIsLife54 Of course it's time for pesto ?

[@CrochetIsLife54]

@@petemavus2948 ¿Qué?

[@maryperalta2822]

Yes, my mother was so thankful to Montgomery Wards for allowing her to get credit on her own and building credit history after my father deserted us.

[@gened9632]

My ex (wonderful woman, just married too young, too soon) wanted a tubal ligation and the US military would not perform it until I came in for an interview. This was in '98. I even stated that I thought it was ridiculous that I had to clarify to a female doctor that she could perform a procedure on a female's body that I didn't own. Of course, I was raised in a house of women so I grew up knowing the difference between cardboard and plastic applicators... It astounds me that the party of "small government" wants to control what women do and who loves who. Please vote.

[@brmam1385]

Excellent understanding of how incredibly stupid &/or influenced by local commanders can be! DD214 says 25 yrs svc. Thank you for your service!

[@tammyd.970]

'small government' is absolutely a misnomer. I wish every man knew about applicators, cups and more! Good for you to be so well adjusted and comfortable. It makes a huge difference to us ladies. Horrible story, but a good reason to tell people to get out and vote HARD!!

[@MiBzAn]

🫂

[@denagustafson6070]

Thank you for sharing a deeply personal story.

[@AylaMarine]

I am a woman and I don't know the difference between cardboard and plastic applicators!😂

[@p220096g]

My mom had 6 children. I remember that last pregnancy. She cried through it. She was past 40 and had lost a baby to Down Syndrome. She demanded a hysterectomy which required my dads signature. When he told her no, she locked him out of their bedroom, after a month without he signed. My best friend had an abortion in 1977. She was tortured by the boys. All us girls refused to go out with them until they apologized. Life for women has been a long road. To watch our daughters being FORCED back into those times are in my mind, an abomination. Fight girls, vote and fight for your freedom. OMG don't let them turn you back into a second class woman owned by a man!!!

[@GO-eo8kg]

Amen well said! 💙

[@penniroyal4398]

Absolutely we demand to be equal to men in all ways and have fought to be sovereign in our rights to pursue liberty and just for ALL including women.

[@Mark-fg9pf]

Sick people. What are you talking about? Pick up the phone and dial 911 if someone is forcing you to do something you don’t want to. Fools.

[@akwaabab8504]

More women need to lock men out of the bedroom! Things would change real quick!

[@BJohnDoyle]

For centuries, women's opportunities for education were withheld because they were not held to be smart enough. Let that sink in and swell up into a blue tsunami.

[@Chairman-w7q]

You tell’em Cyndi! My wife & I had 2 miscarriages and twice needed a DNC. It hurt us both. Both procedures were arranged by my wife and GP. I was there the whole time to hug and hold her…we both cried! It took 8 years and now have 2 daughters and 1 son. My wife passed away leaving me the only decision maker. I said to my girls what I said to their mom, “we can talk and share our opinions but ultimately the decision is yours to make about your body! What ever you decide I will love and support you.” I told them so they’d know how a man that loves you should behave. A man or Government has no right over you!

[@alexiswilliamsinc]

❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

[@tljones0513]

❤❤ sounds like you guys had an amazing relationship. Sorry to hear of her passing 😢 Sounds like you're honouring her and still raising your kids with her right by your side in your own way.

[@Chairman-w7q]

@@tljones0513 you made me have a happy cry, thank you 🙏

[@patriciatinkey2677]

Bless You, Dad!🎉🎉🎉

[@tljones0513]

@@Chairman-w7q aw love this ❤️❤️ have a great day 😊

[@verashevchenko7008]

In 1998 I applied for a mortgage for my first house which happened to be at the beach. I put half down. The person processing my loan called me at home late in the evening to get additional info and the made some comments about being a single woman buying a house and did I know what I was doing. I didn’t say anything just asked if they needed any other information. Next morning I walked into the bank told the bank manager who helped me with my paperwork what had happened and then said I want to be assigned to another processor because what he said was discriminatory - I knew they knew that too. My loan was processed and btw I paid off my loan in 8 years. Retiring next year with a very, very comfortable retirement. I guess I really did know what I was doing. Not going back!

[@Gumpmachine1]

Yes but most women are useless with money the bank is right to ask

[@lisamonderewicz2832]

Similarly, I bought a little country house in the late 90's. Had 24% down payment, signed to lock in a fixed rate of 5 25%, which was pretty low back then. He (the banker) called me evening before settlement and told me "the Board" would only allow me to settle if I took a variable rate mortgage. I bought the house at an auction (how scary was that for a young lady,!?)... so had to have settlement no less than 30 days after the purchase,, so I took the variable rate mortgage, and then refinanced with a different bank 3 years later and had that 30-year mortgage paid off 10 years later. And it wasn't just the interest issue ....when I went to settlement, he (the banker), didn't show up. He sent a minion in his place. The minion informed me I had to write, "an unmarried women" after everything I signed that day. My oldest sister was with me that day and she said, "you don't need to do that.. I'll do that." So after every signature, I passed the paper to her and she wrote it. That bank is no longer in business, but I'm still the owner of my house (mortgage free since 2010) ❤❤❤❤

[@cheezykrafts8134]

​@@lisamonderewicz2832get that bag! That's awesome, you handled life when it tried it's best to give you a bank lemon.

[@cheshirecat6518]

I started delivering mail in 1986. My manager told me i was taking a family man's job that he needs to support his family. I supported my family!!! Some of those men did everything they could to make me quit. I retired after 31 years. We're NOT GOING BACK!!!!!

[@belindalewis7474]

Same thing happened to me in the shipyard.

[@leanneporter2661]

That is true I did all mens jobs in the plant I worked at as a single mom to raise my child, because I was the first and went through that, there are now lots of young women and nobody bats an eye, because these young people are used to genders working in all jobs. 35 yrs later the fact that would happen to go back is laughable propaganda. The younger generation. Wouldn't even expect that.

[@lindas-k5766]

​@leanneporter2661 - Have you read the agenda in the Heritage Foundation's Project/playbook?

[@cheshirecat6518]

@@lindas-k5766 yeah. Because even though the Handmaid's Tale SHOULD have educated people and turned them off...🤷‍♀️ same thing with Animal Farm.

[@lyndi9082]

I had a great job, great male boss and excellent pay raises, until I moved to a different dept. I was treated so poorly by my boss, I even went to his boss after a coworker thought he could touch my breasts. My boss treated me like I was a liar. the "handsie" guy had done this to over a doz females that I knew of, but nobody wanted to tell on him for fear of being singled out as trouble maker. Years later after I quit, he finally got fired. Equal rights for women is an ongoing battle. Vote yes for women! Vote blue!

[@goochmcduck4285]

The fact that ppl are so obsessed over other ppls bodies disturbs me deeply, but doesn’t care one bit the quality of life that person has

[@Clintsessentials]

Yep!

[@franceslynch8815]

Wonderful comment.❤😊

[@Tess-163]

💯💯

[@lisashapiro9165]

In 1970 I wanted to be a carpenter. I was told, well honey ( I knew I was in trouble at that point), you can be a secretary or a clerk. For a long time I was very bad at typing to prevent those choices. There were very narrow options for a woman back then. Now a bunch of insecure men want to go back. I won't go back no matter what. Vote BLUE top to bottom for democracy

[@getyourcardsstraight5893]

That’s exactly how I felt when I lost a lot of those same “female friends” when I wouldn’t get vaccinated when they said I “had” to. Funny, how the tables turn.

[@royfayebridgeman2572]

As a 72 yr old woman Cyndi is telling the truth , I'm not going back !!! 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙 VP KAMALA HARRIS & Gov. TIM WALZ 💙💙💙 vote down ballots too !!

[@Maevelikeschampagne]

i was born in 1973 and I remember that abt the credit cards. my mom had to ask my dad if she could have one. she was never involved in any major financial decisions until she started making mire money than he did.

[@RendaJane]

I have always admired her. The only way she could wrong about what she is if Ted was doing the women cleaning his house. Only then would she have access to safe medical care even if she had a miscarriage. DNA testing will save a few women from a brutal death or life of poverty. 😢 I was born in 1960. I remember what happened.

[@cynthiabrown2530]

Ditto! I'm 72 and I can't believe we are going back on all the progress we fought for and won. It is appalling! We have more in common with the Taliban here in Texas. Thank you, Cyndi.

[@Dbb27]

In 1971 our high school system opened a technical school. I applied to take the classes for automotive technology. I was told point blank to my face that I wasn’t allowed because I was a girl. I am delighted whenever I see a female truck driver, mechanic, plumber or electrician. You go ladies!! I wish you much success. Thank you Cyndi for speaking out.

[@irandude1655]

I can’t believe Cindy Lauper is still on this mission. She’s been on it forever and she never got tired .

[@JuisyCa]

Seriously. I marched the women’s march in NY. There was an older woman in a wheelchair right along with us. And her sign said something like “I can’t believe we have to still do this” - She was alone and chanted and raised her fist. I just cried because of the realization that we must keep fighting. That moment has stuck with me.

[@annaolsson5441]

Oh we get tired that is why it is extra important to build community, be part of something so we can rotate for rest and then get back at it again. Right now we are in the push back phase and this is where we stand our ground and keep gaining rights finding the points where we can move positions forward in leaps and bounds or where necessary slowly but not going back ...

[@brmam1385]

@@annaolsson5441 Well said!

[@brmam1385]

@@JuisyCa Just imagining that scene, what heroes that woman & you both are! 👍🥰👍

[@JuisyCa]

@@brmam1385 I really appreciate that. Thank You ❤️

[@jenniferwong4530]

I’m old enough to remember my grandmother telling me she was allowed to vote when she turned 26. Voting is a hard won right. Use that right!! VOTE!!💙💙💙

[@justinvanpatten3214]

Women have been allowed to vote for a long time. The biggest hurdle to women getting that right nation wide?? Other women.

[@allisonsanders3384]

Excuse me? My grandmother was a sufferagette! In the 1920's! Are you old enough to vote yet??​@justinvanpatten3214

[@justinvanpatten3214]

@@allisonsanders3384 you're excused. Maybe check the historical facts. Just cause your grandmother was a suffrogate means nothing. She fought for women's rights to vote. Bet she didn't grasp the weight behind that decision though. Women didn't get drafted to go to wars. Men did, and still can. That's the difference between men voting and women voting. Besides, women allowed to vote or not was really a state thing. Can fact check that too.

[@robertawallace9817]

​@@justinvanpatten3214 Not in my country. We don't have states.

[@justinvanpatten3214]

@@robertawallace9817 so you're not from America. What's your point?? I'm talking about America.

[@juliecote7479]

When I was in high-school in the 80s it was a trade school and there were courses that were for boys and ones for girls!! I signed up for drafting and wood working and was called to the office to talk to the counselor because she said those classes were for boys!! I couldn't believe it! I said that may be but I wanted to be an architect and would not drop thoses classes..I was in those 2 classes with all boys and relentlessly teased by the guys..The classes that were "for girls" were cosmetology, typing, hospitality classes etc; !! It was absolutely ridiculous and I couldn't understand why I was not supposed to be in any of these so called "boy classes" ..I ended up being top of my class in drafting!!

[@angel794]

Right! I couldn't take woodworking in high school because I was a girl. Had to take home economics instead, where I was taught everything I already knew from my mother. Years later, I taught myself carpentry, plumbing, tiling, masonry and other DIY trades. Disgusting misogyny.

[@cliotio6434]

Oh, same even in 2013; I signed up for a class that taught auto shop skills and the guidance counselor told me to get my dad's permission. She wasn't sure I would enjoy that class... He didn't sign off bc he wasn't sure I should "be stuck in a room of teen boys"- I was in band class already first of all lol. The next year I signed up for a trade class that offered intro to firefighting (structural, I, II, & III Courses) and I fought my way into that class. I only graduated in 2015 and it's wild this mindset is still so prevalent.

[@Evetttte]

Now we have girls fighting for tampons in the boys' bathrooms.

[@InspiringNotionz]

Same thing when I took auto mechanics. First girl in my school to ever sign up for it. Principal asked me why… I’m like… I’m going to be driving a car all my life, shouldn’t I know how it works? Really though… took it because that’s where the boys were! 😉🤣

[@Donnaleslie]

When I was a junior in high school, in 1977, girls were allowed to take wood shop for the first time. There were 3 of us, me, another junior and a senior girl taking Shop I with the freshman boys. The girls were not allowed to use the power tools. We could use sandpaper, varnish, hammer and nails, etc., but anything requiring a power tool, we had to ask one of the boys for help. Not sure if it was the teacher or school board that decided this. The teacher wasn't much older than we were and he had a serious anger problem. I witnessed a couple of incidents that should have gotten him fired (Physical violence against students) He didn't teach for long. He's a priest now.

[@cla5891]

Thank you to past generations for making mine easier. Iam 39 yrs old now, I was able to get a job and have access to birth control at 16. My grandma talked a lot about having to have my grandpa’s permission to do some things. She also was pregnant with 5 kids back to back. No breaks for her body in between until she finally had a boy. 50’s housewife era, she just passed at 92. My grandpa died in ‘88, she loved him very much but always spoke about how she was finally able “to do what she wanted when she wanted to do it”. Anyway, thank you fierce ladies for paving the way for us. I will fight for it as well. WE Will NOT GO BACK!

[@Gumpmachine1]

Yeah and our fertility rates are in the toilet, so while this is great for individual women it’s gradually weakening the country and ironically women will eventually lose those rights

[@foodchurch]

​@Gumpmachine1 That is why we need immigration. No shortage of women out there, many with children . So no worries unless we let the xenophobic racists stay in power.

[@candace3124]

I'm 73 and fought for women's rights since I was in middle school in the 60s. Here's hoping that the younger women will continue the good fight for our rights since the future isn't guaranteed and those rights can disappear in the blink of an eye. 😮 😊

[@hayleigh6989]

They so can :( The fight must never stop. We must remember where we came from.

[@vikingprincess6882]

What a lie about credit cards. My sistera nurse in 1968 had one.

[@MSJMSJ1900]

​@@vikingprincess6882 What lie?

[@vikingprincess6882]

@@MSJMSJ1900 women had credit cards in the 60s...my mom and my single sister were both nurses. They had their own department store credit cards.

[@darkpisces8125]

Yup your generation failed every generation after and today.

[@ms-pe2xb]

Im 73, and my mother couldn't get a credit card, couldn't get birth control, couldn't buy a car, and so much more without my dad's signature. I will not subject my granddaughter to that. We are NOT going back!

[@Callie7912]

I got my first charge card in 1978 at age 19. A JC Penney card. A couple years later I applied for a Visa credit card and got it. I had no problems. Maybe because I wasn't married? I don't know. But I didn't need anyone's permission.

[@Museofmemory]

​@@Callie79121974, that's when the law changed. You missed it by four years.

[@debrawhite6145]

​@@Callie7912 I think it changed in or after 1973, when you didn't need a husband or your dad signing for you to get a credit card or buy a house. I graduated in '73 and I had no idea. I got my card sometime after '73.

[@Callie7912]

@@debrawhite6145 That would make sense. Because I also had no idea women needed a man's signature.

[@KatarinaS.]

​@Callie7912 We're not talking about the late 70s and beyond. Had you tried to do that a decade earlier or even 5 years prior, you would not have been able to. Look it up. I got my first credit card at about 18 in 1990ish. Things changed A LOT in the 70s-80s, thank goodness.

[@sakitoby1581]

YESSS. SAY IT LOUDER, CINDY. I want every young person to understand that FEMINISM is not about blaming OR hating men, not about denying them rights or respect. It is about assuring those same rights and respect for WOMEN as well. It's about equity and mutual respect. Unfortunately these things must in some instances be legislated. Plenty of good men out there, but we need laws to keep the ones who aren't, in check. Women must have body autonomy. My mother was denied Rx for the birth control pill without her husband's permission in the 60s and denied her own credit card in the 70s. In the 80s she faced sexulharrasment in the workplace and had no recourse. As a teen, I faced it too. Good women and good men who believe in mutual respect and equal opportunities and legal protections must join together and stand up to the nonsense of those who would set our society back decades. WE WILL NOT GO BACK.

[@eugeniaskelley5194]

Are you sure your mother was denied a credit card because she was a stay-at-home wife mother/had no work experience. That is the one drawback to staying home building your own credit. I have a sister that graduated from dental school in 1974, and she never had an issue getting a credit card.

[@sakitoby1581]

@@eugeniaskelley5194 She'd had a few part time jobs. But no, it was because she was a woman. They literally TOLD her that. She'd tried for a store credit card and they turned her down, told her to come back and bring her husband. She never shopped at that department store again. I wish I could remember the name of it but I don't think it exists now anyway. Btw this was in SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. The laws actually allowed this discrimination in credit card issuing until 1974 when a federal law passed prohibiting it. But even past that, well into the 80s, places were still discriminating, usually with impunity. Your sister apparently got lucky; she wasn't treated that way but lots of women were. It's kind of like women's suffrage; there were places throughout the US where women had a vote, as far back as the 19th century. But nationally and federally speaking, overall American women were legally denied their right to vote until federal law passed (by way of a constitutional amendment) in 1920.

[@YaaAgubyKete]

Equality is hatred to those who will lose power over you!!! No matter the definition of feminism, it infringes on their long held power over women and they don't want to let that go. We should really stop trying to explain and just move forward. Let our actions speak for us because they NOT trying to hear anything!!!!

[@car2029]

@@eugeniaskelley5194I remember in the early 70’s I’m talking 1972. I’m in junior high school when we were able to wear slacks. No more having to wear dresses or skirts every day. Following year we were allowed to wear blue jeans. I do remember my single Aunt telling us she couldn’t buy a house even though she could afford it in the 50’s. She had to ask her sister’s husband to buy the house for her & she would & did pay the mortgage. I guess the laws finally changed. He signed the house over to her. Get this she made way more money than him. Sad but true. We are not going back. My grandmother told us girls that if birth control pills had been available for her back then she would have been using them. Instead of having 9 kids & struggling. Stop Project 2025. Voting Blue up & down the ballot. 💙🗳️

[@thesilentdiva]

A lot of men know exactly what feminism is about, they just don't want women to have those equal rights...... When all of your claim to fame is based on your gender and that's it.....

[@BROUBoomer]

In 2014 the Post Office would not let me rent a P. O. Box until my husband came in, and signed paperwork allowing me to rent one. *In 2014!* “We've come a long way baby”; but we still have a long way to go.

[@debbyden6121]

To all the women on this page, I love you in the name of unity and sisterhood. Let’s stand together, we can’t go back.

[@irisseer2773]

❤❤❤

[@yvettegatewood1688]

Yasssssss. Love you too.

[@leftbas65]

Hear hear!

[@leftbas65]

​@@GoogleUser-lq1ouexactly what does your comment have to do with this clip? Diversity was mentioned exactly zero times.

[@gattaca5911]

@@GoogleUser-lq1ou we are giving DEI to men now for college enrollment...yr welcome dumdums.

[@darylcarr8283]

I'm a single man who doesn't have kids of my own, but I CAN'T abide living in an America where my nieces and their daughters need their husband's or father's permission to take care of their own bodies! WE WILL NOT GO BACK!!!

[@gnarbeljo8980]

Yeah, most of my American friends with the privilige of other options, have a home in Europe, just in case, and many have sold their house and moved here. It's just become too crazy. I've a good friend with a long term cancer diagnosis he can live with for another decade with proper treatment and checkups. (a common form of leukemia esp for men). He's lucky to be married to a European. All the money he's spent, the hassle of US insurances and extortionate healthcare gone. Out of his life. And besides a great healthcare system he's also been offered to partake in clinical trials of interesting new therapies for his problem. Educated cosmopolitan Americans don't want to fund such a broken system anymore. If this "development" continues, the US will loose its intellectuals and middle class professionals like Iran did back in the 80s. Not over night, but it will happen. The world view of the US since Trump won, is damaging enough. I'm have dual citizenship and can't ever imagine moving back. I can't relate to the values and population supporting this anymore. Insane and unsafe. It saddens me, but I'm so very lucky, I don't have to.

[@dukecraig2402]

A pregnancy involves 2 people, aside from situations where it's a danger to the women the father should have say in thing's. You talk rights well your nieces don't have the right to take a man's rights away from him, when it comes to a pregnancy this nonsense narrative that women get to call all the shots and determine EVERYONE'S future over 9 months of carrying a child is total nonsense, it's only the last few months that are really uncomfortable when it comes down to it, they don't walk around big as a house and put up with all the discomforts of late term for 9 months, it's nonsense that over that they get to determine everyone's future and run roughshod over some guy's life for 18 years, oh yea that's in proportion, a few months of discomfort earns someone the right to destroy some guy's life the way I've seen it happen to friends of mine. Nonsense, I to am single, well beyond father years and have two nieces but I don't believe that just because they're my nieces that they should be able to do to guy's the kind of things I've seen done to them, I ever catch wind of either one acting like that and I'll disown them.

[@kimberlyslagle8463]

​@@dukecraig2402 Wow... you are way off.

[@jillionairess]

@@dukecraig2402 psst - your nieces do not care what you think.

[@debracarr1355]

Thank you for voting blue

[@lindastangelo1636]

My mom left my father and took her 5 kids with her. She was pregnant with me. He never gave her a dime and acted like he didn't have 6 children. She eventually was hired as an accountant at The State Highway Department. After several years as their accountant, she found out the Male Janitor made quite a bit more $ than she did. She stuck with her job, because she had no where else to go. ALL her children had so much admiration for that beautiful strong woman!!

[@chronic2023]

It was very common, unfortunately, for women to get paid less than men, no matter what the job. The reasoning was that a man had a family to support. I remember getting my first shock at pay inequality when I got a teaching job and found out that the guy they hired at the same time was earning 30% more!!!!

[@johnnyearp52]

Your mom left your father? Edit: I was trying to find out what happened as the original comment was confusing.

[@lindastangelo1636]

@@johnnyearp52 sorry I didn't word that properly.... lol My father filed for divorce when he was on a trip with his friend, and she came across the papers in his suitcase. & when she was pregnant with me. She was living in CA . Her brother helped her move back near her family with kids in tow. We only saw him maybe twice after that.... and only because we were visiting his parents at the time.

[@johnnyearp52]

@@lindastangelo1636 Oh, that makes sense now! Sorry he wasn't there for you.

[@lindastangelo1636]

@@johnnyearp52 thank you :-)..... knowing what I know about him now, it was probably for the best, though my mom struggled for years to pay her bills, but then she struggled to pay them even when he WAS around.

[@meganwoehl5277]

My mother, born in 1970, was placed on birth control at 15, despite having deeply religious parents who didnt agree with birth control, because she had a menstrual disorder that caused her to bleed continuously until she passed out and was rushed to the ER. Birth control was approved for unmarried women in 1971. If that law had never been passed, or if my mom had been born in the 60s, she likely would have never had me. The alternative treatment to birth control, would have been a hysterectomy. Ironically, after having me she kept fighting for a hysterectomy and was repeatedly denied...despite being married to a man with a vasectomy and thus having no plans for future kids. It wasnt until I was in my early 20s when she was finally approved for a hysterectomy, but only because birth control stopped working for her and regulating her cycle, so she started bleeding for 3 weeks at a time again and a hysterectomy was the only option left. WOMEN DESERVE CONTROL OVER THEIR OWN BODIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bast713]

Adore Cyndi! She's right - the rights we enjoy aren't that old and our Aunts, Mothers, and Grandmothers fought hard for them. We won't go back!

[@Indicted_We_Stand]

Feminism is nothing to celebrate.

[@thephantomeagle2]

After my parents divorced we moved with my mom to a different state. Fortunately her father bought her a house. She couldn’t get a loan, and she had a PHD. This was 1978.

[@meredithheath5272]

😮😮😮 😢

[@mrvlsmrv]

And this country complains about muslim countries' treatment of women. Fifty years ago, we weren't much better. We won't go back!

[@mrcodeguy1]

You have a PHD but your in debt out the azz!

[@denagustafson6070]

@@mrcodeguy1dude, did you even bother trying to comprehend the comment? Or did you just decide to chime in with a useless, totally irrelevant, comment of your own??

[@realAniram]

Same year, my grandma had to have her father co-sign on her mortgage after she divorced her abusive husband. He'd been dead at least 10 years at that point, having a male co-signer was company policy at the bank. Thankfully it was a small town so the local branch just let her mom sign as Mrs Dead Dad and knew she was good for it. Grandma never had so much as a late payment on that loan. Another thing that was routinely taken from women: the entirety of their names. They would be legally known as Mrs

[@LQOTW]

Stated in 1989 by the CEO of the company I worked for (which was owned by his brother, a senator): "You women have had a break since the day your were born!" He also fought offering his woman employees health insurance "since they should just be able to be on their husband's insurance." NOT going back.

[@coffeekatk4067]

Just what "break" might that be?! Having husbands sign off on any surgery, being taken for granted at home, being "hysterical" and here's a showstopper being called "squaw"! Yeah...what a break!

[@amandas1464]

Not going back 📣 📣📣

[@Justhere77]

@@coffeekatk4067what’s are you making for dinner?

[@delilahscott5753]

NOT GOING BACK !! NEVER GOING BACK !!

[@LQOTW]

@@Justhere77 reservations. 😁

[@mercherolvaag4717]

I'm 53 years old. I remember as a child in the 1970s going to the bank with my mother. She sold Avon (was an Avon Lady) and had her own bank account. I'll never forget the bank manager telling her that they didn't give bank balance information to "housewives" because they might "overdraft if they see money in there." He told her that she had to have my father's written permission to even see her own bank balance for an account that was in no way his! Several weeks later, my mother withdrew her money from that bank. It was over $5,000 back in the 1970s! I'll never forget the look on the bank teller's and manager's face when she took the money out, and took it to another bank. She had to get a letter from an attorney to withdraw her own money! She actually had to threaten to sue to access her own money!

[@headlightfluid7965]

My mom went to engineering school in the 70s. She was the only woman In her program. She was also a divorcee because her husband came at her with a butcher knife. The entire time she was in school, she had to hold down 2-3 jobs because the school refused to accept her financial aid application. They told her that she needed to go back to her husband, and if he wanted her to go to school, he could pay for it. My mom not only graduated, she had an illustrious career, won countless awards, and helped pave the way for women to be able to follow in her path.

[@automnejoy5308]

Wow! That is remarkable.

[@elimaiboca6632]

Congratulations to your mom and well done 👏 ✔️ 👍 🙌!!

[@irmelinhart-xn9wj]

Your mum was an absolute fighter amazing amazing amazing....

[@rettaperkins8460]

That is an amazing story😊

[@kieshamclean3419]

Your mom is a amazing woman 😊

[@jumpjack6436]

Am I the only one who breathes a sigh of relief when I see someone who I loved as a kid come out a speak like this? I love you Cyndi.!

[@jansilverthorn777]

Cyndi Lauper is a legend. Mad respect for her.🇨🇦

[@michaelcap9550]

Typical limousine liberal.

[@twigg43]

​@@michaelcap9550hands down, that's better than a conservative grapist.

[@pusscat9017]

🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@kateoc8]

You can make your own money through decades of graft, and still have principles. Uncommon but true nonetheless.

[@lisastark8907]

She a dried up has been who could never sing in the first place! She’s just another liberal goober!

[@nadiaquest6796]

I love Cindy! She was such an inspiration to me in my teens and 20s ❤ It's true, it's my body, I should get to decide what happens to it! That goes for other medical procedures as well - like injections of substances. This administration caused me and my mom lose our jobs because we believed in our right to decide what is best for our bodies. But this government mandated a procedure that put our health and our lives at risk. The consequence of refusal was the removal of our financial support, our income, the right to work. Is that okay? She found a better job and will win hundreds of thousands in a lawsuit. I still haven't recovered from that, and my whole standard of life has remained lower. I'm wondering if I will ever be stable and safe again. There are tens of thousands of women with the same story. The government, no matter who is in charge, needs to back tf off our individual rights to our own bodies and our minds.

[@mlgraney60]

I was a cabinetmaker from 1993-2005. I was the first and only woman in every shop I worked in, every single time. We will not go back.

[@leyrua]

My mom and her best friend were the only highschool girls taking shop class. She says that she still remembers how weird the principal was over it. She grew up on a farm. One would think that a young woman taking shop class would be less of a big deal in a _farming_ community. 🫤

[@eljoy5280]

I’m drawing cabinetry right now and have never seen a woman cabinetmaker. In 10 yrs have only seen 3 tradeswomen on construction sites.

[@car2029]

My mother worked in a male dominated field & she had to put up with few jerks. Most of the men were fine with her since she knew her stuff. Eventually she became a supervisor but it wasn’t easy getting there. We won’t go back.

[@cdubya3071]

@@eljoy5280I'm a female architect and in the past 40 years, I'm the only one I've seen on job sites. The Building Inspectors used to always test me. The Trades always used to say things behind my back, like, Do you think she thinks I'm hot? I've had married clients want me to "go out with them". Yah, welcome to being smarter than the men to get paid less than them.

[@geewiz8253]

What happened? What did people do to you? 💔

[@AnastaciaInCleveland]

Young women take for granted the rights that they have today. One young woman in a YT comment section said that we have rights just like men. I had to school her just like Cyndi Lauper is doing here. I told her to educate herself about how *current* women's rights are. ~Anastacia in Cleveland

[@DianeMoonShadow]

I agree with you. They have no idea how generations of women before her fought so hard to just get a toehold out of the “kitchen” they were solely relegated to.

[@KailuaChick]

We’re definitely getting a taste of it these days. I’m a scientist, I’ve held the same position for nearly 7 years. My female boss has repeatedly put me up for a promotion, only to be told by the head of HR that he won’t approve it. All the other female scientists and engineers in my company have had the same thing happen. The men in the same positions? They get promoted within a year of starting.

[@kh3612]

​@@KailuaChick Pathetic!

[@LiseWrigley]

Yes Anastacia, How many times do we hear " I'm not a feminist but..." as if it were a dirty word. In university I actually heard women say they hated feminists. I told each of them they better leave school and go back to the kitchen then because feminists fought for them to have the right to attend school.

[@twistysnacks]

​@@KailuaChick the frustrating thing is that these hiring managers often don't realize they're being sexist in the first place. They have it so ingrained in their heads that good scientists/programmers/doctors/professors etc are men, they just think "she's not as qualified" and don't give it a second thought.

[@EricaNernie]

Yep. Remember being refused for a checking acocunt in the 70s because I was a woman. Couldn't get a mortgage either. We had to fight for everything. I haven't forgotten.

[@carolweller8911]

My mother was a registered nurse and couldn't get a mortgage loan by herself. Her younger brother had to cosign with her. This was 1970.

[@kontrygrll01amerika54]

In the early 2000s it was still hard for me to get a mortgage. I could not get a fixed rate at a good percentage point. We still have a long way to go.😢

[@galemusgrove4589]

​@kontrygrll01amerika54 Now, even longer, thanks to Trump.

[@CarolynSmith-z8c]

I had difficulty getting a mortgage as a single woman even in 1990's..CUA accepted that I was worthy

[@tammiemcclure8987]

My former boss has owned her own business since 1974 but when she started out as a single woman, she had to have her father sign for everything. She was sexually harassed, groped by men she was trying to have business meetings with but she persevered and now in her 70's her business earns $5million a year (profit) and people still ask to talk to the 'owner' and ask for her husband who works there. She employed him, and they got married a few years after he met her and started working for her. When people call and ask for him and then ask about him being the owner he says "Wait, I'm sorry, you asked for me directly but I'm not the owner, my wife is." He just flat out tells them, I work for her. I loved that about that job. :) He was so proud of her and always stood up for her.

[@lauracoon5310]

My Dad is 79 yrs young today, we're Native & I've heard enough stories from when he was 18.... 61 yrs ago was in 1963. He witnessed so much that I don't want to experience it either.

[@Skibiditoiletrizz666]

It wasn't that long ago that women who were in a bar weren't allowed to sit AT the bar. They had to sit at a table away from the bar, and they weren't allowed to smoke inside. Men only. No control in public spaces. Love Cindy.

[@BS-ys8zn]

I had forgotten about that, It was pretty much done with when I came of age.

[@cecileroy557]

Women, meaning mothers, when I was growing up didn't go to bars. Some bars had "woman's' " entrances!! Maybe that entrance lead them closer to a section with tables? I remember talking my mother into actually sitting at the bar, at a nice place in Philly, when she was around 67 or so. She NEVER went to bars & certainly didn't want to sit at the bar - I kinda forced her!! 😉

[@amandajay7922]

​@@GoogleUser-lq1ouhow long ago did you lose your humanity or have you never had it? Pretty sure I know the answer but just checking if you're flapping your useless jaws or what.

[@univalent15]

This is crazy and to think it was only a few decades ago.

[@chrishernandez4266]

@@GoogleUser-lq1ou I would think it would have been around 1968 just guessing off the top of my head. I wasn't around then, but I watch history programs & documentaries, etc, on a variety of subjects & I remember this being discussed in one of the shows I watched awhile back.

[@angelad3347]

My mother tried to buy a car after her divorce in 1975. The Sales Person refused to sell her a car until her husband showed up. My mother was an employed 28 year old. She was furious. She turned to walk out when the man asked her where she was going. She said he obviously didn't want a sale so she was leaving. She drove out of there with her Ford Pinto and me strapped into the passenger seat. I was only seven but that moment taught me a lot.

[@nataliebaines6445]

That's crazy 😮

[@amieurban4561]

The same thing happened to my mom..exactly

[@jamieritchey7969]

The same after my grandmother divorced her abusive husband in the late 60s. It's amazing how much has changed since then. ❤️ 🇺🇸

[@siresorb1419]

Where tf do you guys live? My mom's been driving single since the 70's with no problems.

[@karenbrewer7424]

Couldn't buy a house, either.

[@MusicInMyJeans]

"EQUAL RIGHTS FOR OTHERS DOES NOT MEAN FEWER RIGHTS FOR YOU. IT'S NOT PIE."

[@Gumpmachine1]

It does when in granting those equal rights they now can take away others rights

[@MusicInMyJeans]

@@Gumpmachine1 Which rights are you referring to?

[@Gumpmachine1]

@@MusicInMyJeans women can vote and those votes can choose politicians that might be more inclined to use conscription to send men to war. Women want authority without responsibility

[@Gumpmachine1]

@@MusicInMyJeans men are subject to military conscription which women can vote for due to “equal rights”

[@falictyelliott8752]

THANK YOU CYNDI. OH WOW, the positive influence you had on me during my formative years. Brilliantly talented, spokeswoman for SO MANY IMPORTANT ISSUES WHERE WOMEN ARE - STILL! - REPRESSED. WE STILL LIVE IN ARCHAIC TIMES. THANK YOU CYNDI FOR ENCOURAGING WOMEN TO EMPOWER THEMSELVES OUT OF THESE DINOSAUR-TIMES. OH YES, A WOMAN CAN BE AN ASTRONAUT OR PRESIDENT, OR A TRUCK DRIVER - AS LONG AS SHE'S WILLING TO ACCEPT LESS PAY THAN A MAN DOING THE EXACT SAME JOB. WE STILL DONT HAVE ACROSS THE BOARD EQUAL PAY FOR GOODNESS SAKE. THIS IS ARCHAIC. THANK YOU CYNDI FOR SPEAKING UP FOR THE MANY WOMEN WHO - STILL. - DON'T HAVE A VOICE!!

[@angellee7329]

Thanks...Time After Time you have always stood for women.

[@me21464]

I see what you did there!! ☺️

[@ChristophGlaser-r5q]

Cyndi has always spoke truth to power. I'm a heterosexual male & I believe this woman needs to be protected. I do not feel she's hating on me or those of my gender & orientation, she's just droppin truth. Peace fellow humans.

[@ShanteRoxxane]

Time after time!

[@allborosnyc4544]

Skanky cindi

[@ronaldjones8797]

I actually met her many years ago. I was local crew at her concert at the Gulfstream Concert series. Super nice lady. One of the most down to earth people ever. Cared about her road crew and her staff more than herself. An absolute sweetheart of a lady.

[@MargaretBrown-sh7lq]

She makes a great point. On another note, many don't know that Cyndi Lauper wrote the music and lyrics to Kinky Boots, a very successful Broadway play, and won many Tony awards for it.

[@ChloeCostas-rm2tg]

Good to hear. I always respected her.

[@tomcartwright7134]

Cindy you are delusional. Men are being destroyed by the courts and by self important women. False allegations of abuse by bitter women, and nearly complete loss of custody of the father’s children. Please stop with this nonsense and stop being so butt hurt because republicans are forcing women to flee to another state to murder their babies.

[@brmam1385]

Not surprised to hear that! Thank you.♥️

[@YE.143]

Thank you Cyndi L. For your emphasis of the value of Women’s rights. 🇺🇸💙🗳️

[@SimMermaid]

My Mother had 8 kids and I being the last, gave her excruciating pain, sitting on her sciatic nerve throughout most of her pregnancy. When it came time to birth me, I was breech and in a dangerous position that couldn't be turned. She ended up having to have me by cesarian. While they were taking me out, she demanded yet again to have them tie her tubes, but the doctors said again that she needed her husband's signed consent. I'm not sure how long it took to get it done, but she eventually had them tied. No woman should be forced to birth children they don't want or cant take care of regardless of the situation that led to the pregnancy. Is the government stepping up to care for all these woman with unwanted children? No. They want all the control and none of the responsibility that comes with this bullsh*t.

[@Cat-m1g]

We are not going back!! Bring the Wave America 🇺🇸 🌊 💙

[@amekiaj8063]

💯

[@BurnyburnyCutcut]

Lol going back to what, no wars , more jobs, better economy more funding that ever for traditional Black schools

[@davidbartlett8920]

@@BurnyburnyCutcut, cool story bro. We won't go back to a tangerine traitor and worldwide embarrassment in the orange pustule, who falls all over himself to praise dictators and tyrants and fancies himself above the law. Take several seats champ.

[@NoName-us6vq]

​@@BurnyburnyCutcutFreedom and autonomy for your daughters, granddaughters.

[@jimmyb4728]

​@@BurnyburnyCutcutok cult member

[@TwistedKitty150]

I've always loved Cyndi Lauper! Thanks for speaking out❤

[@rhondalmoore5353]

Thank you! Women not only want to have fun, WE WANT TO HAVE OUR RIGHTS!

[@707morton]

What about the rights of all the young men who died in wars just so you have the right to complain on the internet

[@ciaramc29]

What about all the women who worked in the factories and grew the food during World War 2? They saved many lives.

[@rhondalmoore5353]

@@ciaramc29 And they started this great journey of us NOT GOING BACK!

[@laurie5119]

​@@707mortonAny of those men who fought for our rights to be free from oppression should be on our side.

[@curiousnerdkitteh]

"Girls just wanna have FUNdamental rights". A meme I saw once.

[@debbiechase7762]

In 1969, when credit card companies found out my mom was divorced, they cancelled, took away, her credit cards. She didn’t tell Sears for a year. Then she went in and said I’ve been divorced for a year and paid all my bills on time, please give me a credit card in my own name and they did and that was the beginning of building her own credit. She worked until she retired and never remarried. She retired from a state job with good benefits. She was a secretary.

[@bec2224]

It was 1970 and my friend and I wanted to be Safety Officer at our elementary school. At the end of 5th grade you could train to be a Safety (for short) but it was only boys they picked. Me and another girl put our names in, we were told by the principle that we couldn't be safeties at our school. So the next day my mom and my aunt went to the school and questioned this. I heard that they 'yelled' at the principal and the next day we were told we were Safety Officers in training. All we did was stand on the corners to let kids cross the street, or at lunch we walked kindergarteners a few blocks towards home. Now days most parents pick up their kids so they did away with safety officers. But I was really proud that me and Beth were the first girl safeties!

[@laurie5119]

Awesome job! Your mom's did well. 💪❤

[@ameliaadams6380]

Awesome! Thankfully you girls went first. First of many that surely followed. Thank you ladies for every first that cleared the way! We're NOT going back!

[@girltalking66]

Yep your mother and Aunt had to stand up for women's rights in your school! Women had to fight for everything and we still have to fight for many shortcomings and inequalities we still face. And we always face a backlash, it will always be a bumpy road until full equality is reached and unfortunately that won't be for centuries I'm afraid as sexism and misogyny is so deeply rooted in entrenched in our history that it takes every woman's voice and men's to stand up against all these little tiny inequalities that so many still don't recognize that create a support system for this backwards mentality

[@DroppinJewLs]

OMG! Safety Patrol!!! That's what we called it in the 80''s at my elementary school in Texas. We would be in charge of the school crossings in the morning/afternoon as well as raising and lowering the school flag each day. I loved when it was mine and my friends week to fold the flag each day into a triangle when we took it off of the flagpole. Oooooo and we wore hi-vis vests and carried flags; unless you were a captain. The captain would chant "Hold baaaack the children, hold!" and the flag bearer on each side of the street would hold back the crossing children with the flag. When it was safe, the captain would melodically chant " Loweeeeer flaaaaaaag"🚩 And after the children crossed, the captain would chant "Raaaaaise flaaaaag" 🚩(our flags were red lol) We didn't have any gender disqualifications though. Man, I haven't thought about Safety Patrol in decades. Thanks for prompting the great flashback!

[@soniaquintanilla3280]

I was safety officer in 3rd grade not after I made a big deal with my principal. I asked why I hadn't been picked he simply said because I'm a girl. I saw no difference if I was a girl or a boy, at that time it was a passion I longed for so when I came home crying to my dad and he had the nerve to reply you can't you're a girl. I got upset. I thought I was your princess and I could do anything I set my heart to do. I want to be a safety officer. He said talk to your mother, she said girls can do just about the same as a boy, you tell that principal that I will be stopping by before his lunch break. The principal placed as crossing guard in the not popular corner. I went back and demanded he put in the spot with more traffic. He did. I spotted my dad hiding keeping an eye on me. I made him think I didn't know he was watching over me.

[@michelledewese6642]

Girl that's what I've been saying on repeat. I watched my mother work hard and fight. People don't understand how serious this really is.

[@DeanneRichter]

I'm with you Cyndi! I was a teenager in the 70's and remember the fights fought by women for our rights. I will nit go back,not for me but for all the girls out there.

[@DianeMoonShadow]

Agree completely. 💙💙💙🙏💕

[@TrilobitesRTasty]

What’s disturbing is how young people today are sleepwalking through life, thinking their rights can’t be taken away. …when they don’t know how women has to fight in the 70s to have rights.

[@Just-Lo-n8p]

I had my last child in 2003 on a military installation. When I asked for a tubal ligation I was told that my military spouse had to consent and I had to schedule an appointment with him present to sign off on it. That was only 21 years ago. WE ARE NOT GOING BACK!

[@dawntasch1081]

Love Cyndi Lauper. Thank goodness women can now Vote! There was a time when women were not aloud to vote. Get out and vote for a candidate that supports women's rights . Thankfully the PA elections got a win for women. Freedom is not free. Take a stand and Never Forget the past. Thank you Cyndi Lauper 💗

[@garymilne8900]

women have all the rights men have, and a few we dont, so what is it theyre fighting for now. thought so

[@Angelofmcy]

​@@garymilne8900Men have not had their rights to emergency medical care taken from them like pregnant women have in FOURTEEN STATES!

[@marionwilliams910]

​@@garymilne8900what are the few now?

[@ElaineHiggins-pf6uq]

Allowed to vote. Since 1920-over a hundred years ago. Did you go to school? Girls have been allowed to go to school since forever (unless you’re Muslim). Go to school!

[@donnawark386]

Killing an unborn has nothing to do with that!

[@QT-173]

I don't know how my mother did it but she was a immigrant with 2 toddlers who actually got divorced and started a business in 1964. WOW!

[@QT-173]

@@GoogleUser-lq1ou WOW! No on housing, food stamps, government assistance (didn't exist yet for immigrants) and business owners paid taxes. Wrong country.

[@lindapowers8592]

👏🏽

[@da7382]

​@@QT-173the most people I know are receiving government assistance, food stamps are Americans 😂 why do you hate immigrants if everyone of us are immigrants or descendants of them? Nobody can stop this fact that is happening around the world in all countries It doesn't matter if they are rich or not.

[@annhester2528]

I made the same comments a while ago. All these male politicians who are trying to ban abortion and don't care about women's health, their daughters, granddaughters, and nieces don't have to worry about their abortions or miscarriages, because they will get the Healthcare they will need. It's so IMPORTANT for women to vote no matter if they are democratic or republican.

[@shiobhan8648]

Typically misogynistic with a touch of elite- if you are wealthy you will survive. If you are middle class, working or poor, you’ll either die or be bankrupt

[@lindas-k5766]

​@@pattymiller9040- there is NO SUCH THING as an abortion of a "full term baby!!"

[@zelda5089]

@@pattymiller9040 Of course, she’s correct! There is literally no such thing as an abortion of a “full term baby!” Why would you believe these ridiculous, deliberate, right wing lies from extremists who hate women and who hate freedom?

[@randymarsh8974]

@@pattymiller9040if you know so little on the topic. Then why are you speaking?!?! Your lack of humility and hubris is what’s wrong with people today. People go to school to study these topics for years. Yet some people just assume they are right, and will insist to others they are right. But news flash just bc you scream the loudest. It does not make you right! You selfishly ignorant people are harming people. And even after an example like this, you’re just going to carry on elsewhere, spreading misinformation and harm. It’s mind boggling and so irritating just please sit down and let the professionals and intellectuals speak. Because on the subject of abortion you are neither!

[@Task-paralysis24.7]

​@@pattymiller9040Aborting a full term pregnancy is called murder. Dr.s don't do that. I've heard of more than a few husbands and boyfriends who have done it though. Chris Watts and Scott Peterson come to mind.

[@sixmercer2504]

Dude she's absolutely right. And I love the way she explains what she's saying with stern politeness and a not too long but perfectly timed pause for what she just said to sink in between points, and it allows you to not only hear her, but think for a second and store it into the memory file. And she doesn't say she's the saddest icon in the history of the world. Because when you are, you don't need validation from others by telling them, over and over and over again. I have NEVER heard Cindy say one mean thing about another artist. In the 80's they just did their thing and didn't say "Madonna sucks, I am so much better than ALL of those other kids who think they're stars." Nope, she says good things about people or nothing at all, the golden rule. They all got together for "We Are the World" which raised a ton of money for starvation in Africa. No bickering, no judgment, just comradery.

[@sherriw4275]

So very well stated. We worked so hard for the rights, that are slowly being stripped away from us. 😢

[@ntwerpcreates1992]

Cyndi should be a speaker at the DNC on August 19th and remind women of these things. My mom as a 22 yr old woman in the early 70s, would always told this girl, I'm just as important as anyone else and that I can do anything. I never knew those words were her affirmation to encourage herself and to instill power in her daughters so we could have better. When my mom received a credit card in her name as an authorized on MY CREDIT CARD (no male needed), she cried. A prayer answered. My mom added me as a co-signer on their new house with my dad because she didn't think she could be added. We are not going back! 💙💙💙 🗳

[@TheKnives777]

Remember, these are the same politicians that do not follow the laws they use against the rest of us.

[@tonyelliott7734]

Yep. Just like insider trading.

[@bethteer1509]

Neither the JackA$$es or Dumbos follow the Rules*Laws they push on the General populace!! Never have, never will so its way past time to get over this crap & Vote: Morals over "promises" that are 99% BROKEN or Forgotten as soon as they take office!!!!

[@TheKnives777]

@@pamelajohnson7813 and Republicans, so... what's you're point? Their jobs as public officials is to serve the public, not play with it! which they think they have the privilege to do. Both side are complicit, The sooner we stop picking sides and start realizing that it's US the public versus the political sector, nothings going to change. The only thing these vultures are interested in is our vote, and as soon as they're in power we don't matter anymore, both sides are this way.

[@ponygirlusa]

FACTS, nor have they any intention to. It's just another way to reach a group by using what that group values and pretending to share those values to get their votes. You know for a fact, if they unintentionally impregnated their side piece or their daughters got pregnant by someone from across the tracks, not only would they get an abortion, no one would ever know about it. Illegal or not.

[@TheKnives777]

@@ponygirlusa they already do this.

[@susanvinson2667]

In 1992 I had a prolapsed uterus. I had been in excruciating pain for a couple of years. My doctor still asked my husband’s permission before he would perform a hysterectomy on me. We won’t go back!

[@terriem3922]

My 8th grade school in Hawaii in 1968 had mechanical drawing, woodshop, metal shop, cooking, and sewing. All boys and all girls had to take all classes. (They were 8 weeks each.) It was great. I still use what I learned in all those classes (except metal shop). Hawaii had good schools.

[@georgannputintsev4293]

My Ledyard High School separated what classes girls & boys could take. I wanted to take electronics & they recommend HomeEc! I told the over 50 female Guidance Counselor that I already was cooking 1 week out of two, cleaning to ironing. Irony is they opened it up the next year ‘68. Believe & Be Unstoppable ! Retired w/ 33 yrs. at IBM ( w/o degree) … Accelerated Value Specialist … & on the side IBM Club President (7 Yrs - Palo Alto), (5 yrs VP - San Francisco), ClubFun - initiated & organized events at Silicon Valley Labs. The Quantum Universe is What YOU Desire, have Passion. Thought, Ideas, Creating … Action … Matter! Go for Your Zen!

[@Holly-zp5fu]

boy oh boy, this brings back so many memories for me. I moved to Chicago and rented an apartment, but I could not afford the $250 security fee for a telephone. so I had no telephone. when I got married in 1969 there was no security charge for a telephone. my husband was in law school and I was the breadwinner. but the minute we were married my credit card which had been in my name was immediately put in his name. a man who was not employed became the owner of the credit card. when I share the stories with young women they are truly amazed. but that is how it was for women back then. I certainly do not want to lose the rights that women fought for.

[@DanielledeVreede]

Wow, especially the credit card name change is crazy. Like all your possessions were now his and his alone

[@Holly-zp5fu]

@DanielledeVreede Those were the days! I am glad young women don't have to go through these Draconian rules today. My story has a happy ending. Two wonderful daughters and two grandchildren. We have had many blessings. On August 30th, we will celebrate 🍾 55 years of marriage. Who could ask for more?

[@lexxeffectual]

Around 2010 I wanted my tubes tied. I was 32, already had a child and didn't want another one after I had an ectopic pregnany that almost killed me. I had to talk to 3 doctors, one telling me that I was still young and that my man could possibly want another child. And when I finally lay on the table the anaesthetic nurse bowed over me and asked me with a sugar sweet smile if I were sure about that, I were so young. Never in my life did I want to punch anyone so hard. I am sure that this still occurs today. But we can all work together that it happens less and less.

[@marthawardrop1840]

You shouldn't have been put through this. I am sorry that this happened, and yes, in 2010. I sadly know about this bull. Women had to sign for sterilization procedure, and then they had to wait 30 days, just in case they changed their mind. Utterly inappropriate, insane, and incredibly disrespectful.

[@TheRagingC]

I had a similar frustrating experience a few years before yours. When I realized I was about to resort to violence, I told my medical doctor (more like growled) he didn't have the certifications to make psychiatric inquiries and to please refer me to another doctor if he was not confident he could perform a basic tubal ligation. That, or the murderous look in my eyes, finally did the trick. 😅

[@Sky-Child]

I'm 34 with terrible bleeding and they are still refusing to do this for me because "What if you change your mind and want another child?" I have two. My youngest is 9.

[@lexxeffectual]

@@Sky-Child omg...This is so unbelievably disrespectful, condescending and misogynistic, I just can't... Please don't give up. Somewhere out there is a doctor/clinic who will understand that you are perfectly capable of making this conscious decision and who will help you.

[@VixxenSkyeWalker]

Women’s rights are human rights. Why is that so difficult for people to understand? Thank you Cyndi you are an amazing artist with an amazing strong voice. Thank you for using that voice to help. For those of us that feel ignored and devalued. Thank you, Cyndi. I for one am going to use my voice too. Because together we will be heard. That is my mantra and my hope. Because I can’t emphasize this enough. Women’s rights are human rights.

[@Kitkat123456789ful]

Had worked for 40 plus years as a nurse. Took care of my husband for 16 years due to illness but when he died found I didn’t have any credit or financial security because I was second on everything even tho I was earning all the money and paying the bills. Don’t give away any hard fought freedoms.

[@kittyfrog0]

I worked three jobs to afford the down payment on our house. I did all the leg work and paperwork. And I handle all the finances and make double what my husband makes when he works. I have a PhD and he is currently unemployed as well. He signed the mortgage when we bought the house first because they “suggested” he do so. Now when I get any correspondence about the house or the home owners insurance, it is ONLY ever addressed to him. He doesn’t even read the paperwork. 😢

[@hairypoopoo185]

@@kittyfrog0 It's 2024, you can update that now.

[@valeriekhall]

“When he works…” Hon, besides another mouth to feed & clean up after, what is he actually bringing to your life?!?

[@cynthiamorton3583]

@@kittyfrog0, I should hope that by now you could get that changed.

[@tazmina777]

​@@kittyfrog0please get your name on it.

[@maryroseocchino]

71 here 😢 and Cyndi is so right! We had a fight for all rights and now they’ve been taken away from our grandchildren

[@Gumpmachine1]

You didn’t fight for anything, men do all the fighting on your behalf Women can’t have rights unless men decide they should have them so you actually thank men

[@BranTheBald]

If men simply put themselves in women's shoes then this place would be beautiful, I'm a 31 year old man and I will always stand up for women

[@momof3chis291]

@@BranTheBald Good for you!!!! I love to hear of young men supporting women’s rights, and bodily autonomy. In particular, because this is STILL a largely Patriarchal society. My son is 35, and does the same. I am so very, VERY proud of him. 🌸

[@juliad368]

Just shows you are a strong man. Strong men aren’t afraid of women. And strong women love strong men who can challenge them just as much as they support them.

[@Gumpmachine1]

@@BranTheBald yeah just like women put themselves in men’s shoes……not

[@Gumpmachine1]

@@juliad368 no it shows he’s using the oldest trick in the book to get some kitty Kat

[@Bobby_The_Cat]

Well said 💕 Thank you to all the brave women who fought for our rights, we need to defend all they accomplished 🙋🏻‍♀️

[@lisanunlist9510]

Never trust a politician who tells you how to worship, or a pastor who tells you how to vote!

[@andrewgates8158]

Yea..Warnock.

[@idafriedman1449]

That needs to be on a t shirt!

[@vzburns1]

AMEN TO THAT!!!!

[@sophiepooks2174]

I am an atheist thank god.

[@tahnibobonnie]

As an 80’s kid, I love Cyndi Lauper so much and I’m so glad to have grown up with her as an influence! In 2015, I needed my husbands consent to turn off my own phone service from Centurylink. We’ve been rolling back since the Tea Party with Sarah Palin and Paul Ryan happened. Wake up!

[@tanya5322]

It’s 2024 and my husband can’t make changes on our DirecTV account because I forgot to use his name when we opened the account 20 years ago. I suggest you double check how your phone account was set up.

[@rickbaker4163]

NO ONE has the Right to tell ANY WOMAN what she CAN or CAN'T DO WITH HER BODY! Especially MEN!!

[@lindaperry4095]

Noone has the right to tell anyone, both men and women included, what to do with their body!

[@berniemadoff7837]

47 is coming

[@peyote2thumbs]

I love you forever and always Cyndi! You were who I wanted to be in 2nd grade, and who I still look up to today!❤❤❤

[@sinkorswim9541]

In the 70s my mom was fired for wearing pants to work. She also had to have her husband's permission to get her tubes tied. Not to acknowledge the procedure, to give permission she was in her mid 30s with a job and 3 healthy children but not allowed to decide on her own

[@kf1439]

Women are still being forced to get their husband's approval for tubal ligation

[@VenusWoods]

1990, I had already signed to have my tubes tied after 3 children! In the moment of labor transition I was told my husband would have to sign! I promised to sue everyone in that room if they didn’t tie my tubes. I was the one with pre-eclampsia x2, I was the one with unrelenting vomiting for 9 months. I worked 2 jobs up until the actual day I went into labor. I was determined to never have another baby period. It’s a shame I had to fight to get my tubes tied! I refuse to go backwards!

[@just_me_myself_and_I_99]

​@@kf1439in US,where i live the drs wouldn't even tell the husband if mothers want so

[@JaneNewAuthor]

I'm 71. When I started work in 1970s women were automatically paid 80% of the male wage FOR THE SAME JOB. I'm in Australia. What happens in USA affects the whole of the rest of the world. Please, please, please vote! 💙

[@Gumpmachine1]

Yes because the main reason a man marries a woman is for her ability to carry children so it’s understandable he should get a say

[@deborahpinkey1264]

This should be on ALL the networks! "Those who forget history (or never knew it) are destined to repeat it!

[@cc1k435]

Glad to see Cyndi still being Cyndi after all these years. 🥰

[@ande6372]

She doesn't want the government owning her body, I hope she knows the Democrats are the ones who want More government

[@russell-gt1dy]

Vax mandate hypocrite

[@AZubb__]

Love her music

[@dar5108]

Tell it sis.

[@DharaGrace]

Cyndi Lauper started the "Girls Just Want To Have Fundamental Rights" fund after the Dobbs decision. It is in conjuction with Tides Foundation.

[@providenceartdesign]

In 2017 i needed an email with permission from my husband to TSA officials to travel with my small children. For some reason no one ever needs my permission for who ever to do whatever to my same children

[@user-Borgus]

Every time I hear Cyndi Lauper speak, I love her even more. She did great things in Japan after the big earthquake in 2011. She's truly a wonderful person. ,,,and she's still being wonderful.

[@gypsyart6040]

1973. Married with 2 children. Husband a violent abuser. Could not choose for herself NOT to bring anymore children into a violent situation. No right to get sterilization, getting tubes tied. That was my mother! In 1973 she was forced to get PERMISSION from my violent piece of crap father to get her tubes tied! She had no choice, her body did not belong to her! Her body belonged to her abuser! He got to be the one to choose if she got birth control. He got to be the one to choose if she got her tubes tied. And before anyone starts squawking about... Why didn't she leave him blah blah blah... In the 70s women had no safety net, no domestic violence programs, no social programs, etc. She was stuck with him until HE DECIDED he no longer wanted her & his children. I was 8 before he got rid of us, thank God! Women basically had no rights! We could vote finally. We could get a job, but only employment positions set aside for women. But outside of that a Man had to give you permission for near everything! That is what Trump & MAGA wants us to go back to! VOTE 💙💙💙💙 This election is NOT about Party! This election is about DEMOCRACY & keeping Woman's Rights!

[@janncoons7445]

WE ARE NOT GOING BACK - EVER. ALL BLUE💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@SusanZimmermann]

I really always loved her. Just a sweet smart lady. Lord bless her heart. ❤

[@ThisGuy76]

Still showing her true colors for all to see. Powerful message.

[@beverlybalius9303]

She’s LYING to you!!! She is full of crap,,, I had a car, credit cards and a job in the 70’s and I am a woman born in Mississippi in the 50’s…. She lies

[@broseywales5538]

If her hair color is any indication of her true colors then she is fake af.

[@ThisGuy76]

@@broseywales5538 , you're special.

[@anitasweet454]

She’s still so beautiful!

[@stuntcellist3338]

I see what you did there. 😂

[@mattvjmeasures]

"Girls just want to have fun....damental equal rights" Cyndi Lauper is fantastic.

[@kittywalker2944]

Some of us are old enough to clearly remember the 70’s. Don’t take our hard-win freedom for granted.

[@sharonmores8697]

I remember when women couldn't buy homes.

[@DippyHippie]

I remember! So do my 4 children! We couldn’t even rent an apartment without a male co-signing in 1971!

[@thisismagacountry1318]

The Supreme Court only remanded the decision back to the States. Show me where the Constitution guarantees the right to abortion. I'll wait. Say you know the difference between Federal Law and State Law.

[@dozzer009]

@@thisismagacountry1318 The constitution also doesn’t mention god…what’s your point?

[@davidadams2395]

​@@dozzer009 Plus, the Treaty of Tripoli is specific in saying that the U.S. is not founded on the Christian religion. I'd be ok with states putting choice to a referendum.

[@evelynromero5347]

I am 64. In the 1970s she told me she had 2 abortions in the 1940s and to get her tubes tied she had to bribe a doctor to sign a paper saying it was dangerous for her to have any more children. BTW my Grandmother already had 4 children when she had those abortions.

[@GO-eo8kg]

Not only is Cyndi lauper 100% spot on, but she also looks great!

[@georgiatenantadvocategroup2822]

She does. Still beautiful.

[@queensrule4450]

Someone needs to tell Madonna that this is how you age gracefully. She's gorgeous.

[@athelstan927]

What is she right about?

[@B.A.B.G.]

First she reminds me of Cruella and not in a good way at all. Secondly if she was spot on I hope she was against the vaccine mandates. I doubt it though.

[@kbbadguy]

She's not 100% spot on she's 100% spot off people can care less about you having a credit card in the seventies they're talking about killing little tiny beautiful babies ripping them apart inside of a woman's womb.. that's 100% sick

[@malachicroy6379]

When I was a waiter in San Francisco in the 1990’s I served this woman. She was kind, quiet and reflective. Very nice woman❤❤❤

[@johnslossenger6482]

So was Jack the Ripper!

[@carlakinsella3833]

@@johnslossenger6482 jack the R was a NICE LADY?!?! You putz!

[@hy-roller7771]

That's pretty awesome man. She seems like a great person.

[@johnslossenger6482]

@@carlakinsella3833 didn’t mean to offend you Carla. Jack was actually a stone cold killer. But a nice guy just the same. Those who choose abortion are the same….to me that is. It’s my opinion. Again, no offense.

[@thatsthat2612]

​@@johnslossenger6482 I don't think it's that deep

[@EhlaA-s3z]

NOT GOING BACK. Let's vote all the way up and down blue💙💙💙

[@audreywitko1445]

My mother became a widow in 1971. My father handled the paying of all the bills. She was left raising two children. She couldn’t transfer the credit card in my father’s name into her name, never mind get her own card. She was a nothing…a second class citizen. Bankers felt sorry for her plight, but no one would/could help her. Back then there was no Affordable Health Care, no sick days from your job, so my brother & I had to be sent to school sick (unless it was a communicable disease) so she could go to work & not miss a day’s pay. She needed to ensure we had a roof over our heads and food on the table. WE MUST NEVER GO BACK! Please vote Harris-Walz 💙 WE MUST NEVER GO BACK!

[@deeliciousplum]

Cyndi Lauper is an exceptional humanitarian. Cyndi is an example of an artist valuing hard fought for rights, freedoms, and opportunities. 💜

[@stormbringercoming8105]

Yet she can’t take care of her own adult son! Before you try to save others, take care of your own family’s troubles.

[@NG-fq5lf]

Thank you Cindy for reminding us how much women had to fight for their rights. WE ARE NOT GOING BACK. Please on November get out and vote 🗳️💙💙💙💙

[@GalacticPossum]

In the '80s we all knew Cyndi was a treasure, but we never dreamed just how much of one she really was.

[@sandracrosbie8468]

I had to have a hysterectomy in 1994. I was 31 years old. I had miscarried triplets the year before but no matter what the doctor did the bleeding wouldn't stop. So the doctor who was quite elderly told me that I needed to have a hysterectomy. I said okay, if that's what I need then go ahead. He then got up from his desk and opened the door. He called my husband in and asked for his permission so I could get the operation. I was gobsmacked. I'd say my jaw was on the floor. But apparently it was law. In 1994 I needed permission from my husband to have MY body fixed so that I could stop bleeding. I thought I had travelled back to 1884. But that was Ireland in those way behind days.

[@Flo1918]

Oh i remember getting married and losing my identity..i wasn't called by my name anymore..but by my husband's name...the things we couldn't do at that time..incredible..so we can't let this happen again...our lives matter, we need to be able to decide what we can do with our bodies

[@LiseWrigley]

It is 2024. When my husband and I approach a group of our mutual friends, quite often they still say "Oh here is Fred". As if I were invisible. As far as I know they do like me and I attend events almost as often as he does and we've known these people about the same time... Very strange. Does this happen to anyone else?

[@gingerhackley8144]

A woman could not have a checking account without permission of her husband until like 1973. Divorce was so frowned upon it was almost impossible for a divorced woman to have a checking account or credit. Recall well in 1974 when my aunt's husband left her. She could not even get a heating oil account until my father co-signed for her. Women were subservient to men. We cannot take women's freedom of any choice for granted.

[@silvialeprattomazza6214]

We were subservient to the laws

[@aawillma]

​@@silvialeprattomazza6214...Who. Made. The. Laws...

[@NewMoon1972]

@@aawillma👏🏾 Thank you.

[@LeskyAM]

I used to listed this lady's records in my youth, still in Cuba, the 80s and 90s, I loved it... God bless American.

[@813lem]

The older i get the more i see who people really are. (wisdom?) This woman is one to have on your side. Confident, honest and smart. Thank you Cyndy

[@Terri-t5v]

This message is so important

[@cbryce9243]

In my state, in the 70's, women could not divorce their husband if he was having an affair, unless she could prove it, but a man could leave her destitute with several children. It's terrifying that our gov't could roll everything backwards.

[@puck6080]

My mother was unable to divorce her husband when he disappeared because they couldn't get his consent for it but they knew he was still alive. It wasn't until 4 years after my birth that she was able to track him down and force him to admit it

[@reagangaines1224]

That’s despicable

[@talkoholic13]

You what that's how the welfare state was created. She obviously turned out fine because here you are commenting as if her life ended when you wouldn't exist if it did.

[@Tstorm40]

My mother divorced her husband in 1973 or 74. Not sure where you're getting your ingo

[@Tanias112]

They have started it with anti-abortion laws, if you're american that is.

[@daniellemurphy3910]

She is so true! I am 73 and still remember all of that. You think your daughter is safe at work, we are going back to the days when women were fighting off sexual assault at work and school.

[@byrontownsel7274]

You're 73. You don't know what's going on in the workplace. There's no SA at work.

[@anitawebster9450]

​@@byrontownsel7274 perhaps you didn't see where she wrote "we are GOING BACK TO..." I remember also, and if things continue, this is exactly correct. 💯

[@len452000]

Sexual assault in the workplace never stopped. They just started making women sign NDA’s so we don’t hear about them.

[@demekonrn]

​@@byrontownsel7274 Sounds like you're one of those that are committing sa at work🤔

[@triciac1019]

I am 67 and I remember those days. I remember it was a big deal for me to get my own credit card and then my first car. A lady at work bought a house all on her own. All those were big deals that we take for granted now. We are heading back to being second class citizens as you said.

[@LaughingInTiny]

❤ Younger generations NEED to hear the stories and personal experiences because they don't understand what it has been like. One of my sons is an avid feminist but the other thinks we're being over dramatic and embellishing just to be argumentative. His seventeen years experience is apparently enough to have an understanding of how things are for women. It's a painful, never-ending heated discussion in our house. He refuses to believe it would ever "get that bad"...