The following is the winning college entry for the Network of Enlightened Women’s 2026 Essay Contest. Be sure to follow NeW on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or sign up for the NeWsletter to stay informed about the 2027 Essay Contest.
As America is approaching its 250-year anniversary, people all over America have been thinking about what has helped America get to where it is today. I think that one of the most important concepts that America was founded upon is included in the United States Declaration of Independence. The part that stands out to me as being the most important is: “that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Even though this was written 250 years ago, it is still applicable today. Every person should have the chance to live safely, be free, and experience happiness.
This line is important because it focuses on the rights that belong to every human being. The Declaration explains that these rights are “unalienable,” which means they cannot be taken away. However, history has shown that these rights have not always been equally protected, which is why they must continue to be defended. They belong to people simply because they are human. This idea is powerful because it places limits on government power and emphasizes the value and dignity of every individual. When the founders used the word “unalienable,” they were saying that freedom is not something a government gives to its people. Rather, it is something people already have and that government must protect.
One of the strongest safeguards of liberty in the Constitution is the Bill of Rights. The first 10 amendments guarantee important freedoms such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial. In my opinion, the Bill of Rights is one of the most effective protections of liberty because it clearly states what the government cannot do. However, history has shown that these protections were not always applied equally. For example, women were denied the right to vote for many years, even though the country was founded on the idea that government power comes from the people. Many women protested peacefully and were even arrested while demanding equal voting rights. Their efforts eventually led to the passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1920, which granted women the right to vote. This shows that although the Constitution created strong protections for liberty, citizens have often had to fight to make sure those freedoms are fully recognized and protected for everyone.
Although the documents were written primarily by men, women were instrumental in the formation of America’s initial identity. During the Revolutionary period, women contributed to the independence movement in various ways. They even held boycotts against the British, made supplies for the soldiers, and kept their households running while the men were off fighting for independence. Although women were not considered equal to men during this time, their contribution to the colonies was beneficial in the fight for independence. Their contribution paved the way for the women of the future who would eventually fight for their right to vote.
RESTORING AMERICA: THE AMERICAN DREAM MARCHES ON
Despite the strong principles and ideas put forward in the founding documents of the country, the protection of freedom is a continuous process. Currently, some of the major challenges facing the country, and which threaten the freedom of its citizens, include division, misinformation, and unequal opportunities for some groups of people. When the country is too divided, or when its citizens fail to participate in the protection of their freedom, the value of freedom and equality may dwindle. Therefore, for freedom to be protected, the citizens need to be informed and participate in the protection of their freedom.
For me personally, the phrase “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” means more than just the famous quote that we have all learned in history class. It means the opportunity that we have to build a better world for ourselves and our families. It reminds me that freedom is not free, that we must fight to protect our freedom. As the United States celebrates 250 years of independence, the phrase continues to inspire Americans to strive for a country where all people have the opportunity to live their lives freely, to follow their dreams, and to find happiness. By continuing to live our values, we can ensure that the values of our founding fathers remain strong for generations to come.
Dameiya McMillian is a student at Bishop State Community College.