Somewhat difficult to determine all the reasons why – the blessing of good fortune, happenstance, circumstance, right place at right time or just possibly what I reap, I have sown scenario but the men in my life are feminist. Yes my darling readers either REAL feminist or at the very least respectful of my being one. Come to think of it, the men that I feel the most closeness to allow for the full scope of who I REALLY am – at times completely in charge, other moments very much in need of support, still others where – well not often – I throw myself into their arms [real and theoretically] for protection and directive oversight. Best of all worlds is what I seem to have. Asking why or how moi got so damn lucky? Hmm … probably a combination of there being no other option, a bit of plain old luck and putting out there that which I expect to get back.
Please do not think this post is going to be another blah, blah, blah tutorial others of my ilk often write in an effort to dictate the life plan of women and their guys – nope, it is my REAL and honest descriptive self analysis and a portion of my own hopefully inspiring life story, along with what else is relevant in historical and current terms, that will somehow help the ladies and gents reading this get to that perfect balance where REAL respect is achieved. Here is an aside – both myself and my REALLY feminist husband, who if you read me regularly or know us personally, are aware legally took my last name and agreed to have our children do the same – are angry about the state of women here in the great U.S.A. and around the world. In her new novel The Woman Upstairs [a MUST read], Claire Messud writes about “the furies” – that being simply the furious tone we women should have concerning the still oppressive and often dismissive attitudes toward us despite education, earning capacity and such. Pissed off is what her main character is and hubby and I think most women should be – if not about ones own individual circumstance, then toward the other women less fortunate and certainly undeniably oppressed status to various degrees. We women are far too often the worst enemy of ourselves and others of our gender – less supportive of another woman is much too usual the posture seen in the work place, politics and community. Is it jealousy or fear? Not sure exactly but the lack of REAL connective and unified presentation against misogynistic attitudes is daunting to me. Of course, there are the absolutely amazing efforts by women to continue that which my beloved feminist Mother’s generation began … Still fighting to pass Equal Rights Amendment here in U.S.A., working for decent wages and health care here and around the world for women and girls, those striving to elect more American women to political office and even to get the National Women’s History Museum finally built in Washington D.C. – to name just a few of the ongoing and long sought after items involving women. Additionally, there are famous and well placed women attempting to enlighten and raise not only awareness but funds to help our gender – just this past weekend Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna and other entertainers performed and sponsored the Chime for Change event in London to raise the consciousness of the world through song about justice, health and education for girls and women everywhere. All in all there is a REAL effort but we gals need more definitive action by everyone to get it right – to the place where gender REALLY does not matter any longer.
Being our own worst enemy surely applies to women’s current problems – if you want it all, then do it all – that is if like myself, fortune has smiled on you through education, etc.. There are our sisters with no REAL choice … place of birth and other factors rendering them incapable of having choices and so the rest of us must step up and do it – yes, make not only our circumstances and successes doable but be sure legislation here and government actions around the world insure the well being of all women. Dear G-d … when I hear women spout nonsensical things like “I am not a feminist – I love taking care of my husband and children” – well me too and he for I but that does not in any way excuse ignoring the REAL problems of women being denied choices in all areas of life and without any equivocation does not pass for reason to claim ignorance about the growing apparent recognition of things like sexual assaults in the United States military and more similar ongoing egregious actions against women. Listen folks, I bake, I love my family, I am a bit of a high maintenance Princess type but I also handle business and finance for my family and often friends, I am involved in politics, am a writer, athletic type and many more things but what I am not is foolish enough to allow society to define me – then why would I ever allow that to be the case for another women? I ask the ladies reading this to remember that all are affected by laws and tenor of community – her today babe, you and your daughter tomorrow in an oppressive world. To the guys reading this, my hubby is a REAL man who is not afraid to look after the homestead quite well, being a researcher and brilliant writer while doing so – and when someone offends or attacks his woman [me] he is a lion defender of his brood – no question about his manhood, trust me on that. What matter is it if man or woman does this or that task – we are each the better for the others accomplishment and only by working in unison will a family, community, country and the world get better, healthy and more equal for all!
P.S. In my memoir, Heiress Mommy … A Modern Super Woman Life! many details about my late Mother’s feminism will be shared – how she told me it began as her personal outlook on life, etc.. For now please take a look at the picture connected to this blog – it is a dedication that my husband and I are endowing for her at the National Women’s History Museum, which I hope you all will consider making at least a small contribution in honor of a woman you REALLY love and visiting once open.
HeiressMommy™ 