As my youthful co author informed me it is Women’s History month! How did I get to be a woman of a zillion years and not know March was and has been “Women’s History Month?” It’s been celebrated annually in the month of March in the US since 1987. I guess I was too busy being a woman… LOL Take that however you would like.. but my intended connotation is a woman who is just trying to do too much.
Since this is a blog for women, we both thought we should honor the monthly tradition by writing of course about US/YOU- WOMEN. I myself, am a little dismayed about what we are presently doing to the word “woman”. For the life of me I cannot understand why we are trying to redefine OUR word. It seems a bit sacrilegious to me.
I have watched many, supposedly highly educated women try to answer the question “what is a woman” and they cannot seem to answer it. WHY? Do they not know who and what they are? Can you define the word “woman”? I would certainly hope so.
I grew up in the sixties and seventies when the “women’s liberation” movement was on fire. I don’t ever recall thinking that being female meant I was limited in what I could accomplish. My young, high school female teachers were huge supporters of this movement.
As I grew into young womanhood, I remember being invigorated by what the movement stood for. It did highlight the differences of how women were treated in certain aspects in life compared to men. It really made me think about the “role” of a woman historically, traditionally and futuristically.
Early on in my career I did not encounter any discrimination as a woman. I guess maybe that was because I was working in an industry where most of the administrative work was being executed by women. But it did not hinder my upward mobility as I was promoted by a man to an Assistant Manager’s position. I can honestly say I don’t think it ever came into play for my career advancement.
Although I did not appear to be hindered by discrimination in the work place this does not mean I did not experience sexual harassment. Unfortunately, I think most women experience it at some point in their lives. Not that I excuse this behavior by men as it is inappropriate on all levels but sometimes I just think they don’t THINK, AT ALL…Remember that book? Men are from Mars and Women are From Venus? So much truth to how different we really are.
The older I got the more it annoyed me. I think when I was younger I thought it was cute and complimentary when I would get catcalled. The novelty wore off pretty quickly. From an innocent whistle to an aggressive assault and everything in between, it began to take on an entirely different meaning.
But I don’t want to dwell on issues that were at one time tolerated to now being a punishable offense. Women have tackled it and for the most part we are quite successful at protecting and advocating for ourselves. Sometimes I think we as women have taken it too far, which was not the intent of “women’s rights’. We should all be treated with respect and we should never manufacture accusations due to our own poor judgment or regrets. Or for any other reason for that matter.
I had to educate myself on Women’s History month. The National Women’s History Alliance sets a theme for the month every year. I bet you can guess what it is….. “Women who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” As much as I support most of this, I have to admit… it appears to be overkill. Historically speaking, we have made great strides in this arena and we will continue to do so. We have broken the “glass ceiling” in so many industries and genres. And the ones we haven’t, will be when the opportunity arises.
Why was the month of March chosen to celebrate Women’s History Month? How did March 8th become International Women’s Day? I guess it’s nice that we have a month, we kind of deserve it. But if we truly want equal rights… do men have a men’s history month? Shouldn’t we just be celebrating women all year long?
March supposedly originated because of a strike held by the New York City’s female garment workers on March 8, 1857. Women were demanding shorter hours, better working conditions and equal wages. (can you believe that?) I have to say that I’ve also read that the strike story is a myth… (can’t believe anything any more) A story that emerged in the 80’s suggested that the myth was invented in the 1950’s as part of a Cold War era effort to separate International Women’s Day from its socialist roots. BUT myth or not.. this movement was taking place in other parts of the world. By 1917 the first International Woma n’s Day was held in Europe drawing more than 1 million people to rallies worldwide.
I found this story/myth most interesting. I remember my grandmother who came here from Italy at the age of three in the early 1900’s telling me her story. She told me how she travelled from Italy on a boat to New York. She relayed that she could still remember her arrival and seeing the statue of Liberty. That’s a pretty amazing memory. It obviously made a huge impact on her.
She settled in Massachusetts with the rest of her family whom had arrived previously.. She oddly enough worked in a textile mill and became a member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. She was an accomplished seamstress and ran the floor. I wish she were still here so that I could determine fact from fiction…
Now let’s talk about a woman in history who really deserves to be recognized, Francis Xavier Cabrini. The Mother Cabrini Story was made into a movie and was appropriately released on March 8th, International Women’s Day. If you haven’t seen this movie I highly recommend it. I could not believe I had never heard of this incredible role model. I must be living under a rock or she was just not really publicized prior to now.
This woman was the epitome of the word “determination” . If we ALL had a fifth of her determination we would have nothing to complain about. Frances, who ironically was physically frail showed and executed unwavering emotional strength. At the age of 39 she emigrated to the US from Italy.
The US was not her desired destination. She had previously implored the Pope to let her go to China to continue her work as a missionary sister of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Pope finally relented to her continuous pleas by allowing her to go where he felt she was more in need. Evidently, Italian immigrants in the US were struggling on numerous levels. New York bound she was.
She arrived in New York in 1889, as an Italian Immigrant where women at that time had NO rights.
She experienced discrimination not only because of her sex but also due to her race. Italians commonly called Guineas among other racial slurs. Although the US strived to be a melting pot, it was truly a slow melt…
This frail woman went on to battle the church, politicians and the community to achieve her goals. It was never an easy fight but she never gave up. She was resourceful and strong willed, never letting men intimidate her. She was ultimately successful at establishing an orphanage, schools and a hospital. Her mission became international and she finally filled her dream in establishing a missionary in China.
She was the first US Citizen to become a Saint when Pope Pius XII waived the then 50 year canonization waiting period. Frances Cabrini demonstrates what the human spirit can accomplish, even against all odds and obstacles. She is known to be the patron saint of “immigrants.” I hope you get to see it.. It made me proud to be a woman- she defines it as kind, determined, compassionate, fierce and female. My favorite response of hers in the movie- “it’s too bad mother, you would have made a great man” and her reply… “Men cannot do what we can do.”
I learned so much this month exploring Women’s history. It kind of came full circle with the origin of the celebrated day having a direct link to my heritage in many ways. An Italian immigrant grandmother who arrived in the US a few years after Mother Cabrini passed away. A woman who most likely participated in the Women’s movement through her affiliation with the ILGWU. The progression of women’s rights and freedoms in the making. They seemed to do it with so much dignity.
I’m proud of my heritage as we all should be. But I am also proud to be an American citizen. The US is not perfect but it is probably better than anywhere else in the world when it comes to opportunity, freedom and liberty. Let’s hope we can retain it. We had made so much progress. Sometimes it feels like we are sliding backward. As women we have to be like Mother Cabrini– survivors. So speak out when necessary, roar like Helen Reddy says https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rptW7zOPX2E
Don’t miss additional commentary from my co author, MS Natalie on her “feminine findings”- Coming soon….trust me you will love it!
[…] you missed my co-authors piece this week (find it here), she shares having NOT felt discrimination on the basis of her sex. Similarly, I don’t know if I […]