Thank you, Gloria…
We lost another legend last week…
Like Dolly last week, I was moved and enlightened by all the tributes pouring in for Gloria Steinem. I knew she was a famous “feminist”, but I didn’t fully appreciate how much she helped change for women in her lifetime. Many of those changes we barely think about today.
The word feminist has picked up a lot of baggage over the years. But if you believe women should have the same rights and opportunities as men, you are a feminist, as well.
We’ve come a long way, baby…
Gloria’s activism took off in the late 1960s and early 1970s, only 50 years ago and within many of our lifetimes:
- Until 1974, banks could legally deny women credit cards, loans and mortgages simply because they were women.
- Job listings were separated into “Male” and “Female.”
- Women could legally be paid less or passed over simply because they were women.
- Pregnancy could cost a woman her job.
- Girls could be shut out of sports, scholarships and educational opportunities simply because they were girls.
- Sexual harassment wasn’t recognized as a legal form of discrimination.
- Domestic violence and marital rape had few legal protections.
Gloria helped change the conversation about what women could do and who we could be. That shift also changed how we view our bodies and how we choose to exercise.
Seriously?
For generations, women were sold the idea that our bodies needed to look a certain way to be attractive to men. Small waist. Petite frame. Not too muscular. Even exercise was often about becoming smaller.
Growing up, I’ll never forget Cinderella’s tiny feet compared to her “ugly” step sister’s, and being embrarrassed by my size 9½ feet. Who the heck cares how big a woman’s feet are?
Thanks to activists like Gloria, those ideas have changed, too. Being strong doesn’t make us less feminine or less attractive. Strength and femininity can happily coexist. Thankfully, men have figured that out, too.
Strong is the new skinny. Thank goodness!
Muscles used to be something women were warned against. Imagine that!
Today we know muscle is one of the best investments we can make in our health, supporting our bones, metabolism, blood sugar, mobility and longevity.
The benefits of strength go well beyond our bodies. They follows us out into the world. Energy. Empowerment. Confidence. Independence.
So the next time you hear feminist used as a bad word, remember what it actually means. And remember how lucky we are to be standing on the shoulders of women like Gloria who were willing to speak up when it wasn’t easy.
Thank you, Gloria. I’m proud to carry the torch.
Strong bodies. Strong minds. Strong women.
See or “See” you in class this week.
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