In case you haven’t heard, today is International Women’s Day!
What does being a woman mean? Is it the biological sex assigned to me at birth? Is it socially constructed gender identification, and what society believes me to be depending on how I look, talk, or behave? Is it a mix of both? For me, it is just the way I feel, and the experiences I have had. Obviously I think similarly to some women, however, my life experiences have shaped who I am as a woman thus making me think differently than others and see through a particular lens.
The sociology, social psychology and cultural anthropological aspects of sex and gender as well as the psychological concepts of nature versus nurture are all incredibly interesting to me. More so than interesting, the possibilities, outcomes, viewpoints and opinions on those topics are never ending, as never ending as an empyrean realm. I digress, we could get super philosophical about it, but instead, I just want to list some amazing women that I have drawn inspiration from throughout my life and studies. There are WAY too many influential women to list, so I have chosen a few of my personal favorites who have tweaked my lens. They are in no particular order, but it should be noted that without them, my life as a woman in 2021 would be quite different.
Sojourner Truth - Born a slave and named by her captors “Isabella Baumfree” this woman is the epitome of strength. She was sold at age 9. Endured beatings and being a captive, treated as lesser than human and bore 5 children. She decided she had enough at 29 years old, changed her name, and sought freedom in NY. She could not read or write, yet won a court case against her previous owner because he sold her son. She was the first black woman to sue a white man and be victorious. She joined the Anti-Slavery Society, travelled the country giving impassioned speeches, the most notable “Ain’t I a Woman” (it is awesome, please read it), and became an advocate for not only black rights, but women’s rights too. She stood at just over 6 feet tall and was by all accounts, and effective and moving speaker. I have often thought if I could go back in history and hear ONE speech, I would choose hers, hands down. With all odds against her always, she rose to the occasion so many others were afraid to seize, and she paved the way for blacks and women.
“If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back and get it right-side up again.”
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt - Orphaned by age 10 after a less than stellar childhood (an alcoholic father and a sick mother), Eleanor was afforded the opportunity of education by her grandmother. She took her studies quite seriously and was lucky enough to be taught by people who championed women’s education. At age 18 she immersed herself in volunteering and social reform (working as a teacher, with immigrants, with homeless and laborers in NYC). Obviously, most people associate her as first lady, next to Franklin Delano Roosevelt - through some of the most trying times in American history, but she was so much more than that. She had a hand in writing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (still used on a global scale today), and she survived years of an unloving marriage to a man that was quite powerful and legendary in American history and politics. Although she and Franklin were not the picture of domestic bliss, she used her position as the first lady to benefit women, and humans in general. She was one of FDR’s closest advisors and he trusted her intelligence and wit. She broke protocol as first lady, held her own press conferences, wrote a newspaper column, spoke on radio shows and more. After FDR passed away, she joined the United Nations and continued her work for global human rights.
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you'll be criticized anyway."
Ruth Bader Ginsburg - If you live under a rock, you have probably still heard of her. She may possibly be my all time favorite figure, and here, I want to talk about a few things other than her importance on the Supreme Court. She was from a working family, her father a furrier and her mother a worker in a garment factory at the height of the Great depression. Ginsburg’s mother ensured her daughter was not only educated but valued education, as she herself was not afforded opportunities her brother was (she did not attend college so her brother could). RBG did so well in her studies, that she attended Cornell on a FULL scholarship. A year after graduating at the top of her class, she became pregnant with her first child. It was during that time she realized that women still had very few rights, especially in the work or academic worlds if they decided to have a child. She went to Harvard Law a few years later and was able to manage top grades, while taking care of a baby and caring for her sick husband who was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Despite juggling all of this and achieving better grades than her male counterparts, she still faced gender bias and discrimnation in a male dominated field of study. She finished her law degree at Columbia (they had to move because her husband got a job at a law firm in NYC), and had trouble finding a job in law after graduation. It wasn’t until one of her beloved law professors refused to give recommendations to any other student until Ruth was given a proper position, that she got her first real opportunity that would have automatically been given to males. Throughout her career she became frustrated and angry with the discrimination she faced due to being an intelligent and savvy woman in the male dominated world of law, and well, the rest is history. She became Supreme Court Justice Ruth Ann Bader-Ginsburg in 1993 and spent the entirety of her career on furthering women’s rights and focusing on gender equality (yes, she actually fought for men too, read up people!)
"Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you."
Sarah and Angelina Grimke - Sarah was almost 13 years older than Angelina, but that did not deter them from an amazing relationship as they spent their lives together fighting against slavery, and for women’s rights. They grew up in South Carolina and were from a prominent slave holding family. Their father did not believe in educating daughters, only sons, but their brothers taught them lessons growing up. Sarah became a Quaker after visiting Philadelphia with her father, and the religion validated the feelings about slavery that had already been brewing in her. Sarah eventually moved to Pennsylvania and Angelina became a Quaker and moved north to join her some years later. As a result of their moving North and adhering to the beliefs of the Quaker religion, the sisters were banned from visiting their childhood home and essentially excommunicated from the family. They wrote numerous letters, pamphlets and articles pleading with “Christian Women” to denounce the “evils” of slavery. Additionally, they were the first female members of William Lloyd Garrison’s Anti Slavery Society and ultimately caused controversy speaking out, as even some abolitionsists believe women had no place in political or social reform (if this interests you and/or you are thinking it isn’t really relatable to today, please some time to read my Monday Perspectives post from 1/25/2021!
“I know nothing of man’s rights, or woman’s rights; human rights are all that I recognise.” - Sarah Grimke
Kathryn Colleen Guntli - One of four sisters from an Irish Catholic family, Katie has been a rock for many people in her life, including me. We met in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania at Duquesne University in January 2002. From there we got into all kinds of trouble together, some of which I am not enthused to admit. Despite the fun we had, Katie studied and worked hard during her college career. She never took things for granted- whether it was a friendship, a job opportunity, support from her parents or a home-cooked meal from her roomie (me). Katie was my go to in those years, through family issues, boy trouble, school work, financial stress or navigating living in the city, she never failed me. I watched her ace tests, study her ass off, and go to her clinicals like. a. boss. She was passionate about medicine and it was evident. Despite how hard she worked and how busy she was, Katie would drop anything for her friends and family. After graduation, Katie moved to Boston with another one of my women heroes, Rachel Tiano, and the two of them embarked on new jobs as Physician Assistants. Rachel in surgery and Katie in oncology, the two of them were quite literally saving and changing lives. The compassion embedded in them is real, and the hard work is even MORE real. Katie endured years of bridal showers, bachelorette parties, weddings and baby showers - being the one who planned and executed most of them, but she did it with a smile on her face and love in her heart for the recipient. 2020 was supposed to be her year of celebrations, and it pained me that things were so different when it was her turn. But, in true Katie fashion, she trudged onward and upward, understanding that the safety and well-being of others superseded all else. Katie now lives in California with her husband and step children, and is still fighting the good fight alongside her patients in oncology. Although Katie differs from some of the others on here, I wanted to highlight the importance of everyday women like you and I, and how their strength, love, perseverance and hard work is just as important as the “big wigs.”
“I do what I want.”
Which brings me to all of my friends and family. My grandmothers Nunu and Ni, mom Wendie, stepmom Joyce, mother-in-law Diane and sisters Tamsen and Kirsten. My nieces Samantha, Madeline, Isabella and Brooke, my nephew’s significant others Sarah and Bonnie, my sister-in-law Hannah, my stepsister Jolene. My closest friends Katie, Lauren(s), Rachel, Kaitlyn, Dana, Beth, Aimee, Molly, Maggie. My not so close friends and my friends of the past. My former female students. My former colleagues… so many more and too many to mention. I have learned from you. I have grown as a result of your presence in my life. I value you. No matter your background, your lens, your life choices, your life doings. You matter and you have made a difference, at least in my life.
Here is a playlist for your enjoyment on this day full of female voices, female musicians and badasses… lovingly curated by Justin Alper for all the women he loves.
Happy International Women’s Day, that is my Monday Perspective.
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