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| OBOS has been called one of the most influential books ever written. First published in the 1970s, it remained in print until 2018, and is now only available on line. My rebel mom had it in her library back in the day, and it changed my life. |
Today we celebrate International Women's Day, a day when we recognize influential women across history, and across the globe.
Who would these women be? Mary Wollstonecraft perhaps, or Betty Friedan? Or Gloria Steinem? Yes, all of these and more.
Today I pause to reflect on the most influential women in my life. While all the famous women have done amazing things, none of them has affected me as much as my own mother.
Every day of my life I give thanks for the achievements of Margaret Mooney, my rebel mom. You could call her an "early feminist" I guess, unless you realize that women have been fighting for equality for much longer than the 1970s.
How about the 1770s? Yes, and no doubt, before then, too.
So mom was not the most famous, and she was not the first, but she was the sole woman to not only bring me into this world, but also teach me about the role of women (and men) in society.
My mom is one of the strongest persons I know. She birthed and raised 5 children, virtually alone. Since dad, a wonderful man, was a traditional 1950s guy, child rearing was not his thing. Bringing home the bacon was his sole domain, and he did it well.
Not that it was easy for him, but come on, who had the more difficult job? Not only did mom raise 5 wild children, she also broke free of convention and went back to school to get a degree later in life. Then she entered the work place, as if she didn't have enough to do already.
Ultimately, she emancipated herself from her traditional role, and that takes some kind of strength. Just ask any woman, Rosa Parks, perhaps, about the struggle to be free of the bullshit of a racist, misogynist patriarchy.
It is hard, but it is worth it. Where there is no struggle, there is no progress.
It was my mother's example that made me not only a feminist, but also helped me to emancipate myself from the same sick system that she railed against. If not for her, would I have even known that I was also in chains, that we all were, and that it was up to me, to each of us, to break those chains?
So today, I celebrate all women, famous or not. But mostly I celebrate the most important woman in my life - my mother.
Thank you, mom. I am, because of you. But not just that - I am free, because of you.
Beautiful post and tribute to your mother. Sounds like she was awesome! My mom was pretty darn awesome too. She raised myself and my 5 sisters with my dad. Many people would say, when hearing we were a family of 6 girls, "oh your poor dad" to which I have learned to reply "no, my poor mom!" Dad had his own bathroom, and the garage was his domain away from the family. Mom had to share her bathroom with all us girls, and really had no separate place to get away - except perhaps her flower garden. Both my parents died too young, and I miss them both tremendously (even after 20+ years). Happy International Woman's Day to all the women of the world! -- Mary
ReplyDeleteMy mom was, and IS awesome. She is in her 80s, and beset by a brain tumour that can no longer be treated. She recently fell and broke her hip. How much can one woman take? A lot, obviously.
DeleteRight now, my brother has moved to her town and is helping her out. You know you've raised your boy well when that happens.
My dad died at age 65 in 2001. He would have made an awesome old man, since he was a life long teacher and learner. He had come to regret that his traditional role had stifled his relationships with his kids, and he was ready to start a whole new phase of his life in which he would focus on what he knew were the most important things.
His own brain tumour cut those plans short.
Wow, Gregg I had no idea. What a joy it is to learn more about your parents and what a gift they were/are to you and I'm sure many others. I can think of no finer tribute than the one you wrote here. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI owned a copy of Our Bodies Ourselves when it first came out and had revised versions along the way. Gave my daughter a copy when she was a teen. You are right, it changed many lives for better. A pivotal book. It's legacy will live forever.
So many things that burst open for women in the 60's and 70's were a result of decades of struggle for women. So many laid their lives down for the cause. I try and tell women of younger generations just what happened in the 60's and 70's that made a way for some of the freedoms women now take for granted. Sadly, many are not all that interested. I continue to speak about it. I will not be silenced. I'm a rebel too. We must know our history to fully live our present and prepare for our future. Our history is our roots. (which was just at this moment a profound insight for me.) Worth repeating, Our history is our roots.
It does seem like many women enjoy the benefits of the feminist movement, but aren't too interested in how it all came to be. That could be because like "environmentalist", the backlashers managed to also make "feminist" a pejorative word. Now they are both insults among the mainstream.
DeleteDon't rock the boat. Conform or be cast out. Whistleblowers go to jail. What a backwards world we live in.
Linda and I both have a fascination with history. How can we interpret where we are going if we don't know from whence we came?
My dad was one of the most incredible human beings I have ever met, and I can say the same for my mom. They prepared me well for anything life brings my way, and I am so grateful for that. They are my most immediate roots.
Ps. I am very sorry to hear about your mom's brain tumor. It is very sad news. I wish her the best. This can't be easy.
ReplyDelete