About three days ago, I was reading my facebook feed and an article from NPR came up. It was an article on the first female african american CEO of a fortune 500 article, Ursula Burns. I loved the article and thought about sharing it with some of my female co-workers because it had some pretty cool things in it about women and how we should be empowered and just rock it.
Then I got angry.
WHY IS THIS REMARKABLE in 2012? WHY ARE WE WRITING ARTICLES ABOUT HOW HARD IT IS TO MAKE IT AS A WOMAN (or any part of the "minority")? WHY? IN 2012?
Because the tragedy of it all is - it is still remarkable in this day and age.
So, I didn't share the article. I went on my way ignoring the reality of the situation. I don't want this reality to be true, so therefore, I pretend it doesn't happen. And a typically random but wonderful way, I ended up talking about this article with someone I work with who is a fellow female. She felt the same way - WHY IS THIS NEWS?? It made me feel just defeated that this is still an issue. And my ignoring the reality is contributing to the fact that it is the reality.
It's funny because I feel like I talk about a lot of things pretty openly. I give my opinion about anything and everything, but this particular issue, I do not opine or lament about the inequalities for women. EVER. I think I thought this type of strategic silent rejection of the situation would make it not so. I walk the walk so I can talk the talk in so many other ways, I think I felt that by walking the walk (being a good role model by action) that I could talk the talk - unfortunately, we are not there yet for that. There are still too many "the first female " articles out there for me to just pretend it doesn't exist.
So, last night, I came home and started talking to Mikal about it last night. And he shared a commercial he remembered about this topic.
Even he was lamenting the choices for his daughter. I want my step daughter to have role models that ARE NOT reality stars, NOT celebrities for showing skin, NOT fashion models that contribute to eating disorders, NOT famous people that have been made. I want my step daughter to look up to real women that have MADE THEMSELVES, and are NOT made by an anonymous metaphorical machine.
Women like the following remarkable, amazing women.
Liz Burns Good - Production Manager for Pearl Jam - one of the ONLY women doing this kind of job for a band of this scale - She hires women and works in a music world old boys club. I am honored to call her my friend.
Terri Weagant - a passionate, courageous, talented artist, director, writer and dreamer - she makes fantastic dreams into reality. I could not have made it through the first part of 2012 without,her, my kindred spirit.
Amanda F'ing Palmer - someone that challenges the status quo for the good of the craft. She doesn't follow the crowd. I am proud to have contributed to her cause.
Sharon Nelson - an award winning science teacher and mentor. She inspired me then and now works with other women to inspire them (including my mom).
Ciara McGrath - a fearless traveller and passionate civil rights activist. She reminds me every day to reach for places unknown. Plus, no one can have a beer in a cool bar in a foreign place better than she! She is my friend and my family.
These are people I want to be like - that I wish I had as much talent, patience, honesty and integrity that they have. Some are people that I've never met, some are very close to me, some are famous, and some aren't (but should be).
With my discovery of Amanda Palmer, recent connection with a kindred spirit, meeting of new people, and the discussions about why I pretend the inequality of women in the world doesn't exist, and the fact that I'm now a step mother - I have to take a more active role. I want to inspire like these women. I want to challenge the current standard, I want there to be NO NEWS - it should just BE. I want to be part of that.
I'm going to actively have this discussion from now on - I will not be silent. I will walk the walk and talk the talk in a different way - in a way that will change the WHY these stories are remarkable. We are remarkable, not because we are the "first" to do anything - we are remarkable, because we ARE remarkable.
So, last night, I came home and started talking to Mikal about it last night. And he shared a commercial he remembered about this topic.
Women like the following remarkable, amazing women.
Liz Burns Good - Production Manager for Pearl Jam - one of the ONLY women doing this kind of job for a band of this scale - She hires women and works in a music world old boys club. I am honored to call her my friend.Amanda F'ing Palmer - someone that challenges the status quo for the good of the craft. She doesn't follow the crowd. I am proud to have contributed to her cause.
Ciara McGrath - a fearless traveller and passionate civil rights activist. She reminds me every day to reach for places unknown. Plus, no one can have a beer in a cool bar in a foreign place better than she! She is my friend and my family.
These are people I want to be like - that I wish I had as much talent, patience, honesty and integrity that they have. Some are people that I've never met, some are very close to me, some are famous, and some aren't (but should be).
With my discovery of Amanda Palmer, recent connection with a kindred spirit, meeting of new people, and the discussions about why I pretend the inequality of women in the world doesn't exist, and the fact that I'm now a step mother - I have to take a more active role. I want to inspire like these women. I want to challenge the current standard, I want there to be NO NEWS - it should just BE. I want to be part of that.
I'm going to actively have this discussion from now on - I will not be silent. I will walk the walk and talk the talk in a different way - in a way that will change the WHY these stories are remarkable. We are remarkable, not because we are the "first" to do anything - we are remarkable, because we ARE remarkable.
