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Little Miss Feminist

We're just not a beauty queen kind of family.

By Rita Fiorentino

Years ago they took away my Girl Card.

I LIKED to be pretty AND to climb trees. I enjoyed the dance between men and women and the extracurricular activity to which it leads. I ignored those who said I couldn't because my gender created a barrier. They shook their heads and declared I could never be part of The Cause.

So I went about doing it my own strange little way... and - would you believe - it WORKED! Men respected me, a business grew up around my efforts, a husband came along who loves, cherishes and protects while treating me as an equal partner. I have two sons who believe there is nothing their mother (and thus other women) can't do.

So finally we women come around to the real truth of femininity. We don't have to be Dirty Harriet to be a real woman, we don't have to believe anymore what Gloria told our mothers. We CAN be beautiful and graceful and competent and strong.

The secret isn't drawing lines in the sand, the secret is there are no lines. Lots of people may believe those lines are there... but lots of people also believe the world is flat.

You can almost feel sorry for the men, we can do every thing they can but they could never look good in an evening gown.

Bravo to Ms. Fiorentino for finding the true secret to womanhood.

Maybe she knows where they hid my Girl Card??

Posted by: Molly | Aug 01, 2008 11:02

After reading this, I had to check out the two Taekwondo trophies my son won at the mid-West TKD tournament. Sure enough, men on top of both. I had never even noticed before.

It does go both ways though (although I do believe girls get the short end of the stick most of the time). Last week I was pitched an ice cream sandwich maker that I thought my 4 yr old son would get a kick out of since he loves ice cream sandwiches. Turns out the item was hot pink and had "girl" in the name. As if no boys would ever want to cook.

Gender stereotypes just stink all the way around!

Posted by: Wisconsin Mommy | Aug 02, 2008 17:19

Rita, I would have had the same concerns over a "pageant" but this sounds like a really neat opportunity for Katie. Have fun, girl!

Posted by: Amanda | Aug 02, 2008 19:35

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