H e r s t o r y
"I have dreamed on this mountain, since first I was my mother's daughter and you can't just take my dreams away, not with me watchin'!
You may drive a big machine, but I was born a great big woman
and you can't just take my dreams away, without me fightin'!!"
from "Mountain Song", by Holly Near
This page was added as my way of celebrating Canadian Women's History Month (October). It
is dedicated to our Grandmothers', our Mothers', our Daughters' and our own stories.
I struggled with how to begin and, as I perused my book shelves for inspiration, through Lies, Secrets and Silence by Adrienne Rich; Gyn/ecology by Mary Daly;Take Back the Night; Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions and A Harvest Yet to Reap, I realized that it would be appropriate to begin with my own story.It seems like a lifetime ago since I bought these books, and I remember reading them voraciously, thinking, "yeah!, that's what I feel like when..." I have considered myself a feminist since 1975...remember "why not?". It was United Nations' International Women's Year and I was 15. I hung up my posters, wore my "why not?" button and started writing my name "Ms". My uncle started calling me "Bill", figuring that if I wanted to be a feminist, then I must really want to be a man. Funny how that story really sticks with me, and still makes me go "argh!!"
Each one of us is at a different place and we need to recognize and accept where that place is for ourselves and for each other. When my first child was born almost 18 years ago, I became less involved with marches, demonstrations and meetings. I am still passionate about feminism and I recognize that women are still fighting issues ranging from violent abuse to the politics of housework and child care.
I have a major preoccupation now of nurturing my children to become responsible, compassionate, caring adults. When my son demonstrates sensitivity and my daughter calls me "sister", I feel moved. (things that make me say, "aahh")
Regardless of where we are individually in politics, I think it's important to accept one another. To paraphrase Nellie McClung, there is no need to explain, or apologize for who we are!!
Any comments or if you want to share your story, e-mail me
or use the form in my guestbook.
I absolutely love hearing from everyone!!!
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