March 9, 2007
International Women’s Day
Sure, it’s a grand day to pat ourselves on the back. We have indeed come a long way, baby! I’ve run into a few young women in pest control in the last few years who thanked me for helping pave the way. The truth is that others came before me and opened those doors. I salute those women, and the men who were insightful enough to see that we had a great deal to offer. Remember, back in those days we didn’t have the law on our side; no one had to hire us for non-traditional employment. But, yeah, I’ve paid my dues and taken my licks, especially in the early days when many thought that I should have been home tending the kitchen and making babies. I didn’t get into pest control to make a statement or batter down the barriers. I did it to make a living. Living with my folks, working two traditional pink collar jobs (three when I could squeeze in more hours) and trying to support my son was not getting me anywhere. Taking a non-traditional job allowed me to make a home of our own for myself and my son, and to spend time with him instead of sleeping the few hours that I didn’t work each day. So I salute those pioneers, the bra-burners and crowd-gatherers and noise-makers for showing me how, and I’ll give myself a “well done!” for following. It took guts for me to seize the opportunity. For the first few years I was the only woman I knew in our industry who wasn’t a secretary or the office manager/wife of an owner. It didn’t feel courageous at the time. It felt scary and neccessary. So assign me my small role in history. Today there is a whole generation of women in the work place who have the law on their side saying that they can do anything they are capable of doing. I’m proud of that. Everyone who had a part in it should be!
There’s much more to International Women’s Day than toasting our own achievements, though. Today is a good day to look around at the inequities that still exist. Women and children are still living in poverty and even starving to death in many places in the world because they don’t have the means to help themselves. Sexual exploitation of women and children is still an acceptable norm in many countries. Good, moral women work in the sex trade because their only other alternative is to watch their babies starve. Genital mutilation is still sanctioned by societies that may have outlawed it, but still really believe that it’s the right thing to do. It’s illegal for some young girls to learn to read!
I believe our freedom comes with an obligation. Someone else opened doors for me. Now it’s my turn to pay it forward. I hope you feel the same way. Each individual can make a small difference. Banded together we can change the world. Today I’m buying a goat. That one goat can lift a family out of poverty. World Vision is just one of many resource centers available to those who want to support women and children in ways that can make a difference and impact future generations. I hope you’ll consider taking part, too. Today is a good day to express our gratitude in tangible ways.
Mahalo nui loa to Lady Gothic, who reminded me to look at my calendar!
Technorati Tags: women, equality, International Women’s Day, World Vision
Posted by skeet @ 1:00 pm • Charity, Society & culture
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March 9th, 2007 at 5:56 pm, Whim Says:
Happy International Woman’s Day to a woman who makes a difference!
March 9th, 2007 at 7:16 pm, Flo Says:
You should definitely pat yourself on the back!! Way to go!!!
I just found your blog through PPP (I just started) and I couldn’t help but see you’re on Oahu. Me too. I live on the Windward side. Small world, eh??
March 10th, 2007 at 4:59 am, 436413 Blog Verification Says:
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March 10th, 2007 at 8:13 pm, LadyGothic Says:
Kudos to us strong women! and thanks for letting me become friends with you, a rare treasure indeed
March 10th, 2007 at 8:39 pm, skeet Says:
Mahalo my friends. I don’t sit around and muse about the changes I’ve seen, but when I do dwell on it I’m quite amazed.
Don’t be strangers, now!
March 10th, 2007 at 11:33 pm, hyphen_eight Says:
Three cheers for you! You have and do make a difference.
And congratulations on your goat too. I can’t get your World Vision links to work for me but I get a catalog from the Heifer Project at Christmas and I think they have a lot in common.
March 11th, 2007 at 10:30 am, skeet Says:
I’ve never bought livestock before. Very convenient to buy a goat & not have to take care of it, lol! ;0)