By Donna Scrafano, MHS
Inspirational Women Throughout History
Throughout my entire adult life I have honored and was inspired by famously heroic women. The Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman(s), Oprah Winfrey(s), Gloria Steinem(s), Kamala Harris’, Mother Teresa(s), the many suffragettes’ and many, many others have more than earned their place in being honored. However, I’d like to dedicate this article to ALL women. After all, I believe we, as women, have a little or a lot of the same ideals or strength as the women we honor.
Reflections on Gender Stereotypes
There are those who fought hard, as children, to be heard, to be acknowledged or even noticed, at the cost of being labeled; disrespectful, spoiled, bold, incorrigible, hot head, etc. etc. During my generation of baby-boomers, “little girls” were to be quiet, have no opinion and if you did, keep it to yourself. Because speaking your mind would fall under the aforementioned labels. I know this ideal very well.
Challenges and Triumphs in Education
From the time I began school, at the very young age of four years old, my mother would receive reports such as: too talkative and doesn’t follow directions. Following grade school the reports included: social butterfly, doesn’t listen when spoken to and speaks out of term. High school was indeed the most difficult. Not for me, but for my mother. Why? because I became even more vocal. Hence, “disrespectful” according to some of my teachers. My mother, who never spoke up to anyone, ever, was mortified when she would receive the phone calls from one particular guidance counselor. Needless to say, I would be met with my mother yelling and crying when I arrived home from school.
I must say, I was CLUELESS when I would hear a teacher say things like “I’d expect that behavior from your brothers, but not from you” or “girls don’t act like that” or “you’re more stubborn than a boy.” There were many more phrases and comments along the way. For sure. And I couldn’t, for the life of me, figure out what was meant by such comments. Evidently, when “girls” would speak their mind or give their opinion, even respectfully, it was not well received. Both in school and personally. The good news is, as an adult, I learned how to filter some of the commentary that would pop up in my head. Fortunately.
Embracing Assertiveness and Independence
I believe being the only girl with three brothers was my saving grace in how I operated and how I became an assertive woman. Not “a hot head” or “incorrigible.” Assertive, honest, independent, and yes, “bold.” Because being “bold” is not a bad personality trait, as I was once taught. On the contrary, it was sometimes necessary.
Honoring Women of All Walks of Life
I want this article to give honor to the women, the silver-sagers (40+), who had to fight through the stigma of not conforming to how “a girl” should behave. The women who were our sisters, our daughters, our mothers, our grandmothers, our cousins, our friends our neighbors and all female acquaintances are to be honored. The single mothers, social workers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, firewomen, stay at home moms, secretaries, cashier, EMT’s, servers, teachers, administrators, law enforcement, therapists, grandmothers raising or helping to raise their grandchildren, caregivers of a loved one(s), maintenance workers, etc. etc., ALL need to be honored. Recognized. Acknowledged.
As we look up to our historically and socially famous women, I am sure that there is at least one person who was assisted, impressed or mentored by every, single woman who exists. Who might that be for you? Let her know. Acknowledge her. Recognize her. Honor her.
Previously published by Silver Sage Magazine.
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