Raising daughters in a country that upholds (some) values you don't share can be tricky. Perhaps braver moms than I remained steadfast and spoke their mind. I opted to wait to share my views until the children were old enough to think for themselves. This was no easy thing since my nature is to question, speak up, and push against injustice. By the time I was a mom, I'd tossed out a myriad of political theories and isms. Why would anyone listen to those who talk and talk and never walk the talk? People claiming to have answers for everyone else wore down my patience, leaving no space for listening.
Category: Women’s Issues
A Space to Grow Older
When Tim and I moved into a 1,100ft2 flat in Colorado, it took some getting used to. Actually, it was frightening. Everywhere I looked, behind me, left, or right, there was my husband. “Tim,” I said, “this is not going to work.” Instead of agreeing—though surely he must— he said, “well, let’s see how it goes.”
Tears, A Cosmic Connection
Why do we cry? Sitting with a group of women, my friend, Ruth, commented on the recent impeachment hearings. She said that seeing women step up and speak to power brought tears to her eyes. The rest of us didn’t respond right away. We lacked the words to describe how her words affected us — a feeling plucking at our heartstrings.
Why Aren’t All Men Feminists?
Some of my women friends don't want anything to do with the feminist label. One friend ended our relationship after she learned I took part in the 2017 Women's March in Washington, D.C. They equate feminists to man-haters. But can they explain to me why it doesn't ruffle their feathers when boys are told not to act like a girl? What's so bad about girls? When you combine pink and blue, you have purple. Can't we be purple people?
The Corruption of Power
Stories about women's contributions in history should include those self-serving females who stopped at nothing to climb the power ladder. Poppaea, my fifth blog post on women in history, is one of them.
Edith Andersen 