[MR] re: chattels

[david wendelken]

>To add a bit of an historical note, it has not been so very long since 
>women were treated by the laws of some states as quite literally chattel 
>unable to own property or make contracts in their own right.  Indeed 
>there are still places in the world today where a woman must be escorted 
>to travel in public.

That is quite true. In fact, during the senatorial debates on the XVth amendment:

"Amendment XV

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. 

Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. "

a senator remarked that the phrase "or previous condition of servitude" should apply to widows.
He made his point, but women had to wait many more decades to win more rights.

Of course, they will never have truly equal rights until they successfully demand equal responsibilities like being drafted and serving in all combat roles.

Andras