Thursday, March 3, 2011

Women's History Month

Monday started Women’s History Month. Even in my own lifetime (40 years thank you) I have witnessed great moments in history for women. I remember the first female who made it to the final presidential election as a vice-Presidential candidate.  I saw the first American woman in space (1983 – Russia beat us with a woman in space by about 20 years). I have seen the rise of Oprah Winfrey first hand-ish.
As I organize my Quiz Show that I put on for the students in the college cafeteria (I also do this for Black History Month and Constitution Day) I remember all the various things that I didn’t see happen in my lifetime but that I have benefitted from greatly. I feel so fortunate to live in a time and country where women have so much more freedoms than we once had, and more than some women in other countries have in this present day.
I can wear pants. I can vote. I can own my own business. I can realize that I’ve been divorced almost 17 years and may never remarry – and I can be okay with that because in this place and time I can take care of myself.
Sure there are still battles women need to fight. Equal pay. The constant war over our own uterus. The ability to be as sexually active as a man and not be considered a slut. Etc. Etc.
Still, overall, I say we have come a long way and we are at a pretty damn good place now. I look forward to seeing more positive and exciting changes in my lifetime that will pave the way for my daughter and the rest of my coming bloodline.