To know freedoms women did not have we need only inventory those taken for granted.

Being identified by our birth name, join clubs and board of directors, vote for a United States president and wear an "itsy-bitsy yellow polka dot bikini" in public if we darn well please!

With all due respect to past President Thomas Jefferson, it seems he forgot to include the word, "women" in his letter recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence; "That form which we have substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion. All eyes are open or opening to the rights of man..."

Consider the political freedom and justice at the heart of the Declaration of Independence; "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness." They did it again-- what no equal "women?"

"Man" means girls, too, some say. Still ladies fought for their independence long after the Declaration of Independence made July 4, 1776 the birthday of the United States of America.

Please read this column with a sense of amusement for which it is intended, albeit mingled with serious facts.

Freedom in America from England's rule and taxation without representation was a godsend for men and women alike, although in today's politics it sometimes seems we're fast-paced back in that direction.

America offered independence and new beginnings, except ladies were not allowed to vote or as a rule speak at public forum.

On Aug. 20, 1920, Elizabeth Caddie Stanton and Lucite Moot were instrumental in winning women's right to vote. Yet, it was 22 years later during World War II when ladies were recognized with equitable job and social opportunities.

When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor men left to fight a war and women built airplanes, guns, bullets, tanks, trucks and jeeps. Ladies didn't stop there, they joined the military when Congress granted them that right in 1943.

With new opportunities came new challenges and choices. I grew up in it, although too young to grasp the real meaning of war other than meat was rationed, gas and rubber tires were hard to come by, brand-new cars were a memory and ladies silk stockings sold by black market.

Anyone with an ounce of ambition could find a job.

With most men gone to war, pickings in the boyfriend department were slim-to-none as popular song lyrics confirmed: "They're either too young or too old, they're either too gray or too grassy-green, the pickings are poor and the crop is lean,"

Today women choose where they want to work, enter into business contracts without a husband's signature, tuck their hair behind one ear and let the rest blow in the wind or even wear a red hat and purple gloves.

Married women were barred from being flight attendants into the 1970's. Society historically set strict rules for women's clothes.

Amelia Bloomer, who in 1851 fought for sensible fashion, would applaud today's independence of wearing pantsuits, slacks and jeans. She surely would cheer the demise of steel-belted corsets and cotton bloomers.

Nowadays, it's thongs, bikini bottoms, a push-up bra or none at all! Although as old-age creeps upward sales of push-up brassieres could rise to the occasion.

A lady could plant their first kiss on a guy in the 1940's and not be labeled a "hussy without shame." The extreme of such emotion today is regular sex without commitment or intent of marriage. And that "just don't seem right."

Personal rights we take for granted are coveted worldwide. Just as our ancestors arrived as immigrants, thousands more now cross USA borders regularly. A new Hispanic majority could conceivably elect America's next president in November 2008, political forecasters note.

Ladies -while you are urged to cast your hard-earned vote, it is not suggested that you wear an "itsy-bitsy yellow polka dot bikini" to the voting booth. However, a fully informed (and clothed) voter is always in style.

America is about freedom - of the press, of expression, of faith and communication. Use it or lose it!

As the late much-loved entertainer, Will Rogers said, "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."

Today's Thought: "We are the first nation in the history of the world to go to the poorhouse in an automobile." (Will Rogers)