I heard about the International Women's Day initiative as I was sipping my coffee and finding my space on the interstate. "Oops," I thought, learning I was supposed to be staying home, not shopping and wearing red! "Strike 1,strike 2, strike 3,"I thought, sipping Mobil on the Run Coffee while driving to work and wearing a new pink sweater!
Then, the news story continued to say that some stations decided to play songs ONLY written and sung by women while OTHER stations interpreted this day in the opposite way. THEY decided to play only songs written and sung by males! I smiled realizing there would be many ways to interpret this initiative!
To be honest, even if I had known about the initiative, I probably would have had my black coffee and gone to work today, While I respect the choices some of you may have made to support respect, I have to take off from work my family is sick. I have to take off from work when family joys, like my newest grandchild, and family sorrows, like my Aunt's broken femur, come along! Not that anyone on the International Women's Day asked me, but I'd prefer to spend a few minutes of the day sharing about the impact of women in our society and how life has changed for women in the last century. If I had a choice, I's prefer to SHOP! If I had a choice, I
Long ago, my grandmother had to quit teaching when she got married! Sounds crazy in an era when we talk about more - even if not still enough - leave options for new moms and dads. Long ago, when I was in grade school, girls did not wear pants to school! Sounds silly now, but it was true not THAT long ago!
So next year, I would like a little more Facebook or Twitter publicity the day before so I can at least wear the color of the day and join in sharing the many juicy quotes about and by women! This year and next year as well, I hope we can all be respectful of the many challenging decisions women (and men) make every day to support their families, communities and careers. Whether we stay out of the work and financial world in order for others to see our impact OR if we choose to make an impact by being visible at work, in our families and in our communities, in the words of an old commercial, "We've come a long way."
A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men." - Gloria Steinem
"The education and empowerment of women throughout the world cannot fail to result in a more caring, tolerant, just and peaceful life for all." -Aung San Suu Kyi
Then, the news story continued to say that some stations decided to play songs ONLY written and sung by women while OTHER stations interpreted this day in the opposite way. THEY decided to play only songs written and sung by males! I smiled realizing there would be many ways to interpret this initiative!
Long ago, my grandmother had to quit teaching when she got married! Sounds crazy in an era when we talk about more - even if not still enough - leave options for new moms and dads. Long ago, when I was in grade school, girls did not wear pants to school! Sounds silly now, but it was true not THAT long ago!
So next year, I would like a little more Facebook or Twitter publicity the day before so I can at least wear the color of the day and join in sharing the many juicy quotes about and by women! This year and next year as well, I hope we can all be respectful of the many challenging decisions women (and men) make every day to support their families, communities and careers. Whether we stay out of the work and financial world in order for others to see our impact OR if we choose to make an impact by being visible at work, in our families and in our communities, in the words of an old commercial, "We've come a long way."
A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men." - Gloria Steinem
"The education and empowerment of women throughout the world cannot fail to result in a more caring, tolerant, just and peaceful life for all." -Aung San Suu Kyi
"There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish." - Michelle Obama
"In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders." - Sheryl Sandberg
“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” Nora Ephron
2 comments:
Well said, Anita. Everyone has to choose their own priorities, and sometimes that choice is hard! I remember well the restrictions, find it hard to believe I taught first grade in heels and nylons and skirts! And I too couldn't wear pants in college or in the workplace. My Grandmother had to quit teaching too when she married, but they let her sub!
I enjoyed reading your reflections on the day. I was behind on what this day was all about. I noticed things on Twitter.
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