ASHLAND — It was the month of May in the year 1851. They bumped into each other on a Seneca Falls, N.Y., avenue corner. Elizabeth Cady Stanton liked Susan B. Anthony from the moment she met her. She looked tidy, with matching grey dress and hat, all tied up with blue ribbons. Anthony possessed a sincere smile and pleasant face.

Features we often look for in a girlfriend — someone to share lunch and gossip with, or perhaps go to war against an old school, domineering American fraternity.

See, way back when, as these two women meet by chance, it’s a bleak time for us girls. Slavery isn’t abolished; a smart lady like me can’t go to law or med school — no higher education allowed. Hush me up and keep me submissive. I promise to tie my corset tightly and be a subservient sister.

Let’s say I don’t passively place hubby’s roasted chicken on the table duly at suppertime. Without fear or favor, law pronounces his right to willingly smack me around. If I bellyache or protest, he aptly declares me nuts and locks me away in a loony bin. No way out. Because I’m woman; hear me whimper.

I bring home the bacon to the homestead and obediently pay my taxes. Yet, I can’t vote.

Dealing with said daily dude depravity, our political predecessor female pals see to each other, stirring the family soup pot, cleaning each other’s kid knee scrapes — all the while fighting for moms like us with public speeches and leaflet production.

Troubles were different back then — temperance, rights and abolition.

Seems to me we’re in the same boat, with guy capitanos still steering our bodily and governmental ships.

Flash forward. Working women’s paychecks don’t equate our testosterone counterparts. Single mommas can’t save up for retirement, keep family homes out of foreclosure or feed hungry tummies. Male partisans take continual cracks at us, keeping our takehome pay low, while debts rise.

Raising a millennial daughter — who will vote her first time in the upcoming election — she counters the same woes as our suffragist super duo. Casting this vote, she shall channel their spirits, sharing her prerogative on woman issues I thought we hashed out years ago.

Turning 18, she marks her ballot for ease of access to birth control, a show of pretty-manicured girl hands for the future of her Social Security. Let the girl-fight begin.

This ardent new electorate of 44 million eligible young voters responds to skyrocketing deficit and fuel prices, fallout of wars and 9-11 tragedy and a desire to obtain affordable healthcare.

Young women must take to polling places in droves to get the word out this Nov. 6.

But will they?

Unmarried women comprise a quarter of the U.S. voting population — but

usually don’t exercise their hard-fought citizenship. In 2008, almost 51 million women were eligible to take part, but only 35 million registered.

To follow in Anthony/Stanton footsteps, engage in policy process and debate. The political environment is changing against women — there’s much at stake. Marshal your democratic girl power with an easy vote. It’s your only remedy to male madness.

If you’re turning 18, educate yourself on how to participate this fall. Be aware, active, excited candidate supporters. Sing a chorus of disapproval if you don’t appreciate traditionalist sheep legislators discounting your choice and muting your voice.

Volunteer on street teams, make calls and claim your entitlement and privilege.

Discover the issues touching you. Freedom to love and marry who you wish; ability to maintain conservative values and religious equality, or a simple standard of reproductive rights. Will there be good-paying jobs when you complete college?

Drum-up the girl-dom because it matters more than ever.

I was a Morehead State University student the afternoon I put up a Bill Clinton placard on my Waterfield Hall window. I knew zilch about politics — I initially registered independent — but supporting him felt right. A few days before, I delivered a class speech about Miss Anthony. I met a young Clinton organizer on campus who told me to rock the vote.

I bottled intensity and said my piece that election. It worked — and chicks in our country celebrated historically good times.

But, here we are.

Ladies, please don’t be voiceless. Register now — before it’s too late. Your womanhood hangs in the balance with just one ballot checkmark.