Chapter 15
Chapter 15
“Ma’am, I have to correct you–history is full of women who made tremendous contributions to their countries and the world. You’re only ignorant of them because you haven’t bothered to learn. There are teenagers present, their values still forming: please don’t poison them with such backward thinking. And honestly, as a woman yourself, how can you belittle yourself like this? I truly feel sorry for your
children”
The woman immediately planted her fists on her hips, her face twisting into a scowl. “Who do you think you are, butting in while adults are talking? Didn’t your parents teach you any manners? If you’re so clever, then tell me–name a single woman throughout history who’s done anything important for society or the nation. Go on, if you can’t, I’ll shut your mouth for your
Keeley tugged on Caitlin’s sleeve, whispering. “Catie, it’s not worth it. Let’s just go p>
Caitlin hadn’t even finished high school. No one expected her to have a long list of famous women at her fingertips.
Truth be told, neither did anyone else–they were all at a loss, even old Mr. Davis, who’d lived through more history than most.
Trying to stand up for something you know nothing about only invites laughter.
“Keeley, there’s no need to worry p>
Caitlin stood her ground, her back,straight, her presence striking. Though she was only seventeen or eighteen, there was a calm in her eyes that seemed to have weathered every storm, a polse beyond her years.
Please listen carefully,” she said, her voice steady, each word deliberate.
“Emmy Noether from Germany–Albert Einstein called her “the most significant mathematical genius since women were allowed to attend universities. Her Noether’s Theorem laid the foundation for quantum field theory and general relativity, and her work in abstract algebra changed mathematics forever.
“Wang Zhenyl, a pioneering scientist from the China, was celebrated abroad as a foundational figure in science. She wrote. groundbreaking treatises on astronomy, including new theories after reading Copemicus, and was the first in the world to combine macro and micro perspectives of the universe.
“Queen Elizabeth I ushered in England’s Golden Age–the very height of the British Renaissance
“Marie Curie discovered radium.
“Rosalind Franklin uncovered the double helix structure of DNA.
“Hedy Lamarr–the so – called ‘Mother of WiFi–invented the technology behind WIFI, Bluetooth, and GPS
“The world’s first computer programmer? Ada Lovelace p>
She paused, letting the names settle over the crowd.
Caitlin’s tone was calm but her words resonated, each name and achievement crisp and unmistakable. She’d just listed, in perfect order the legendary women who shaped the world.
on
The little garden fell silent, every face awash with awe. No one had expected this teenage girl to be such a well of knowledge.
For a moment, Caitlin was the living embodiment of grace born of learning.
Keeley, in his wheelchair, stared in disbelief, mouth agape in a perfect ‘0‘ his eyes wide with astonishment. He’d assumed Caitlin was bluffing, trying to look tough. He was wrong–she was the real deal.
A moment later, applause erupted.
“Well said, young lady p>
“It’s the twenty–first century–how can anyone still believe girls are less than boys? Nonsense! You’re absolutely right, and I pity her children”
“Women can hold their own against any man p>
To have such knowledge at seventeen or eighteen was remarkable enough, but to speak so confidently in front of a crowd, without a hint of fear–Caitlin was something else entirely
The brash woman, who had been so smug just moments before, now wished the ground would swallow her whole. She’d thought this slip of a girl would be easy to intimidate. Instead, she’d run into a brick wall
Flustered, she wiped the sweat from her brow and hurried off, head bowed
In the crowd, Beatrice watched Caitlin with open admiration.
She’d met many people in her life, but never anyone quite like Caitlin.X
This girl had it all–talent, beauty, poise. But more than that, she wasn’t the least bit arrogant about her gifts.
Humble, yet unyielding–like a red camellia blooming in the snow, or a pine standing tall through wind and rain. Extraordinary,
no matter
the circumstance.
At that moment, Beatrice could practically see her future daughter–in–law smiling and waving at her.
If her foolish son could win a girl like that, she’d be over the moon.
Worried someone else might snatch Caitlin away, Beatrice started to step forward, eager to introduce herself.
But she stopped, reconsidering. No, she couldn’t just rush over–what if she startled her future daughter–in–law?
She needed to wait for the night moment
For now, there were more urgent matters at hand.
Beatrice pulled out her phone and dialed. “Hello, Annie p>