Meaning: This quote by Dorothy Thompson, a prominent journalist and commentator, raises an important question about the role of women in advocating for their own rights and needs. Dorothy Thompson was a trailblazing journalist known for her outspoken views on social and political issues, and her quote reflects the frustration and impatience that many women felt during the mid-20th century as they fought for equality and recognition of their own specific concerns.

Thompson's quote is particularly significant in the context of the early 20th century, a time when women's suffrage had been achieved in many Western countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. After decades of tireless activism and advocacy, women had finally gained the right to vote, marking a significant milestone in the long struggle for gender equality. However, as Thompson's quote suggests, the achievement of suffrage did not immediately translate into comprehensive representation and advocacy for women's issues.

During this period, women's organizations and advocacy groups were indeed active in lobbying for a wide range of causes in Washington and other centers of power. However, as Thompson implies, there was a perception that these organizations were not fully addressing the specific needs and concerns of women themselves. Instead, they were often focused on broader social and political issues, which, while important, did not always directly address the challenges faced by women in their daily lives.

Thompson's question, "Why don't they take up their own causes and obvious needs?" reflects a frustration with the perceived lack of attention to issues such as equal pay, reproductive rights, childcare, and other gender-specific concerns. The quote challenges women's organizations to prioritize these pressing issues and to advocate more effectively for policies that would directly benefit women.

In the context of the mid-20th century, this quote captures a moment of reckoning for the women's movement. The achievement of suffrage had been a hard-won victory, but it was clear that it was just the beginning of the struggle for full gender equality. Women were increasingly demanding recognition of their specific needs and experiences, and were calling for meaningful action to address the systemic inequalities they faced.

Thompson's quote also serves as a call to action, urging women to take ownership of their own causes and to push for the changes they sought. It highlights the need for women to assert themselves within the broader political landscape and to ensure that their voices were heard on issues that directly impacted their lives.

Ultimately, Dorothy Thompson's quote captures a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for gender equality. It reflects the growing impatience and frustration among women who were no longer willing to accept a passive role in the fight for their rights. Instead, they were demanding that their specific concerns be addressed and that their own causes be given the attention and priority they deserved.

In the decades since Thompson's time, the women's movement has made significant strides in advocating for gender equality, reproductive rights, and other critical issues. However, her quote remains relevant as a reminder of the ongoing need to prioritize women's causes and to ensure that women's voices are central to the pursuit of a more just and equitable society.

In conclusion, Dorothy Thompson's quote encapsulates the urgency and impatience felt by many women during the mid-20th century as they sought to assert their rights and advocate for their specific needs. It serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the importance of prioritizing women's causes in the pursuit of a more just and equitable society.