Women Who Changed Us
Last season we had a few conversations discussing gender stereotypes (catty women & competition between females), women helping women (the importance of female friendships), and the value of both finding and being mentors. We would like to take a moment this season and just share a few stories of things we’ve learned from strong women that influenced or even changed our perspective.
I’m wondering about Women’s suffrage? The 19th Amendment to the US Constitution granted American women the right to vote, a right is known as women’s suffrage and was ratified on August 18, 1920, ending almost a century of protest. Where do you think we are with Women’s suffrage today? I’m wondering if we can vote, we do vote, but as I observe our government from the outside I see a group of men making decisions and voting on women’s health for example. Are we really exercising this right to the best of our ability? In 1872 Victoria Woodhull became the first female presidential candidate. Her candidacy preceded suffrage for women in the U.S. In 2016, Hillary Clinton became the first female presidential candidate nominated by a major party, namely the Democratic Party. The world’s first democratically directly elected female president was August 1, 1980, in Vigdis Finnbogadottir in Iceland. You don’t have to look only in the past to find women shattering glass ceilings.
Disclaimer: why our moms are not in this episode - don't worry, we’ll tackle that one another day.
Tonya shared life stores of women who changed her from her time as a girl scout leader, office manager and she suggested relistening to our episode from season one #54- Finding inspiration: The importance of Mentorship.
Kim shared life stories of women who changed her from 4-H and about Florence nominating me for TEDx and what I learned through this process and the various women who held me up as I challenged myself to do enter this arena.
Current women who inspire Tonya, help her, and stand beside her: Moon ladies, my best friend, High school friend group, Maryland University of Integrative Health Cohort, Midwife, Clients past & present she shares how and why she feels this way. Historical or literary figures who really made an impact on your life?
-Maya Angelou
-Brene Brown
-Tina Fey & Amy Poehler
Yes, Kim agrees with Moon Ladies, her friendship and business relationships with Tonya, her dear friend Cheryl give a listen to episode #50 Gentle Power: The Secret of Sisterhood, MUIH Cohort, Maya Angelou, Brene Brown (permission to be vulnerable and to education on empathy and shame), Malala Yousafzai (activism speaking out about her the Taliban and girls rights specifically to education, youngest Nobel Prize recipient), Mother Teresa (dedication to the sick and poor), Ann Frank (wrote extensively as a means of self-expression and self-preservation of both adolescence and the Holocaust), Oprah (to redefine herself throughout her career and to have amassed a net worth $2.7 billion), Ellen (awardees the Presidential Medal Of Freedom in 2016 and continues to remind us that the world should be a more fun, kind and loving place, LGBTQIA activist)
Sometimes, particularly when we discuss a more emotionally guided topic, the purpose behind it was a contemplative one. A reminder to slow down and really think about something - the ins and outs, ups and downs and really find appreciation for the thoughts, feelings, and experiences that helped us develop into who we’ve become. I strongly believe the root of these contemplative practices to be grateful even when we’re thinking about something seemingly negative.
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