Happy International Women’s Day! It’s a good time to reflect on the women who came before us. True, it’s tough to be a woman sometimes (sometimes it’s tough to be a man, but for now, let’s ignore that familiar urge to put everyone else first).  We still don’t earn as much for the same work.

We still get grabbed, catcalled and generally harassed (FYI dude, I don’t care what you think about how I look. I just don’t. Feel free to keep it to yourself). We get “now you can be/do anything!” along with “but you have to be hot, as defined by everyone but you!” I’m old enough to remember Charlie’s Angels, the fictional crimefighters who tottered around in high heels and clingy outfits, flipping their perfect hair while catching bad guys. Tee hee!  Even now, female superheroes dress in glorified swimsuits and cheerleader outfits. We are “empowered” somehow by using our sexuality to beg for approval.  Our own President defines women according to whether or not he’s attracted to them — that’s their value.

Unless you just decide to live life on your own terms and pick your own role models. Go see “Hidden Figures.” Read about the Suffragettes. Remember you are the descendant of women who started new lives in unfamiliar places, raised crops, livestock and kids, and made their way forward step by step. Somewhere in your past is a woman who just did not give up. Probably more than one. And you can be that woman for the generations that come after you. Wearing whatever you damn well please.

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