The world of humanity is possessed of two wings: the male
and the female. So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength, the
bird will not fly. Until womankind reaches the same degree as man, until she
enjoys the same arena of activity, extraordinary attainment for humanity will
not be realized; humanity cannot wing its way to heights of real attainment.
When the two wings or parts become equivalent in strength, enjoying the same
prerogatives, the flight of man will be exceedingly lofty and extraordinary.
Therefore, woman must receive the same education as man and all inequality be
adjusted. Thus, imbued with the same virtues as man, rising through all the
degrees of human attainment, women will become the peers of men, and until this
equality is established, true progress and attainment for the human race will
not be facilitated.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, ’The Promulgation of Universal
Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States
and Canada in 1912’; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, Peace)
