Thoughts from the Contemporary Women’s Issues Workshop
I was at the Contemporary Women’s Issues Workshop this past weekend. One of the big things I got from it was the understanding that as girls, we were mostly not seen for who we are, which is full human beings with big minds and ideas. Because of this, we have felt and acted subservient even when we are in what appear to be powerful positions in the world. The distress is deeply embedded, but as a sisterhood we can discharge, begin to free our minds, and take on [undertake] ending sexism for good [forever]! At the workshop, we could see this starting to happen.
Diane [Balser] worked with some women on engaging the men they are close to, to be their allies in the fight against sexism. I heard this in a new way. When the workshop was over, I asked my husband to be my ally in the fight against sexism. I asked him to be my partner in thinking about housework and meals and to understand that these were important issues for both of us to be thinking about. It was a good first step for me to ask and to explicitly articulate the request. I also know there is much more work to do on this.
I came away from the workshop with a profound sense of sisterhood with all the women who were there and who are in my life.
Brookline, Massachusetts, USA
Reprinted from the RC e-mail discussion list for leaders of women
(Present Time 204, July 2021)