I've gotten an e-mail sent to me several times during the past couple of weeks reminding me to vote. They include graphic details of what some women went through to afford us the right. So, I'm adding one more reminder to get out and vote. It wasn't so long ago that women couldn't go to polling places and cast a ballot. It wasn't until 1920 that the 19th Amendment granted all American women the right to vote.

Things have changed greatly in the past 88 years. We've moved from women being barred from the voting process to having women serve in all branches of government and even having women running for the highest offices in the country.

One thing I always remember when I think about how much things changed for women in the 20th century is how my grandmother, who married in the early 1920s, had to sneak off and get married so she wouldn't lose her job.

She was a teacher and was not permitted to work once she was married, so my grandparents went off to another county to secretly marry so that she could continue teaching.

I also remember a former co-worker who worked in a downtown office for an oil company in the 1960s who tried to hide her pregnancy as long as possible because the company required you to leave once you were pregnant.

Females today have so many more opportunities than generations before us - opportunities in education, in the workplace, in the military and in government. One of them is being able to vote. Keep that in mind as you head to the polls on Tuesday.

Benefit to help boy with rare disease

Cameron Dykstra, the great-nephew of Robert and Kelly Evans of Lansing, is 19 months olds and was diagnosed with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency in October 2007. The disease is also known as the "boy in a bubble disease," which is rare, with only about 1,500 cases being known since it was discovered in 1968. The lack of immune system prevents Cameron from spending time outside his home and his first 159 days were spent in isolation at Comer Children's Hospital.

Due to all the medical procedures, surgeries and therapies that he has or will have to endure, the family has had overwhelming medical expenses and will continue to have such expenses in the future. Family and friends will be holding Benefit for Baby Cameron from 1 to 6 p.m. Nov. 23 at 115 Bourbon St., 3359 W. 115th St. in Merrionette Park, Ill. A $25 donation includes food, pop, beer, water, wine, entertainment and also the chance to participate in basket raffles and silent auctions. Tickets will be $30 at the door. Donations are also needed for raffle prizes and a silent auction. Tickets can be purchased online at www.helpbabycameron.com.

For more information, contact Emily at (708) 326-2169 or eneo83083@aol.com.

The opinions are solely those of the writer. She can be reached at csteinw@yahoo.com.