Reflection For International Women's Day: The Resurgence Of "Women's Lib"

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(Originally posted in 2018)

Hey peeps,

Given the celebration of International Women's Day, I'd like to focus on a gender-related matter.

Since the dawn of "women's lib" in the late 60's and early 70's women have made amazing progress, leading to the achievement of major milestones in all areas of life.

We have Episcopalian ministers, soldiers on the front-line, ER doctors, surgeons, dentists, astronauts, pilots, research scientists, IT professionals, architects, engineers, bankers, prime ministers, senior diplomats, CEO's, boxers, wrestlers, basketballers, soccer players, golfers, equally-paid tennis players, major action stars (did you guys see Black Panther?), feature films about super heroines, race car drivers, mechanics, electricians, road-work crew members, construction site workers... in fact, we even have a couple of Forbes listees (hey, Oprah)!

Truly amazing, right?

Yet with all of this progress, achievement and the power that comes with it, women are still facing far too much discrimination and harassment in the workplace.

This problem has been blurred by all of the progress that I mentioned before, which has turned out to be somewhat of a double-edged sword.

Perpetrators of these offenses have been using women's general advancement as "proof" that women's lib is no longer an issue.

Well, we only need look at the ongoing "Me Too/Time's Up" movement to see that this could not be further from the truth.

Every couple of days, another one of those same accomplished women is coming forward to report that she too has encountered discrimination, harassment or sometimes even rape at work.

These powerful, celebrated women - to whom we all look up for inspiration and guidance - are showing us that this can happen to anyone... and that the lowly, nameless, invisible, silent victims are not alone.

So as you celebrate what it means to be:

• A woman (on International Women's Day),


• A nurturer/vessel of life (on Mother's Day),


• A wife (on your wedding anniversary),


• A lover (on Valentine's Day)

or just being part of this wonderful journey called life (on your birthday), I urge you to spare a thought - not just for how far we've come - but for how much further we have left to go on the road to equality and respect.

Happy International Women's Day to each of you... I hope that in some small way, you're made to feel appreciated, celebrated and respected.


Donna

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