Today is International Women’s Day. This is a day to honor the contributions of women around the world. Thanks to the women in our lives who make our communities and families better for us all. It takes a woman to make things work and to get the job done. You all are awesome.
During the month of October there is a focus on Breast Cancer and health. Both women and men can be impacted by this dreaded disease. Many people have been impacted in one way or another by this form of cancer.
More than likely you have a family member or a friend who has or has had Breast Cancer. For some the fight was a victory while others have been taken from us tragically. There are stories of everyday people who have been impacted by this disease that have been heroic. My mother-in-law is a survivor because she caught it early. Mary Ellen Locher, a former local TV news anchor here in Chattanooga unfortunately lost her battle but she has a treatment center at a local hospital named in her honor.
Self examination and annual mammograms are important in the fight against this disease. Research is ongoing into a cure for this and other cancers.
For more information on Breast Cancer Awareness visit Healthfinder.gov or the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website. Help spread the word about this important issue.
I am a man, in case you didn’t know. As a man raised in the southern United States there were lessons given in how to treat a lady, lessons that still stick with me to this day. I have women in my life who deserve respect from me and to be treated with dignity and kindness. Everyone should be treated with respect no matter what.
Online it seems that some men can get away with saying things to women that are inappropriate and that isn’t right. Being a man doesn’t give you privileges to do or say whatever you want. You have a social and moral responsibility to be polite and kind.
As I have said before in other posts women have it tough. Some folks are trying to rollback decades of progress on the rights of women and minorities which is fundamentally wrong. I believe that all people are worthy of kindness but sometimes they have to be called on the carpet when they do or say things to make them feel unsafe.
Now women aren’t weak people, they are strong, independent and worthy of respect. Society and our world doesn’t work without them. One day one will be President of the USA.
To my brothers out there be kind, respect the people in your lives especially women and be careful about what you say and do because everyone’s reputation is on the line.
Women have it tough today…even in the 21st century. It seems as if the advances of the 1990’s has been under attack by those who really want the good old days. I believe women should make health care decisions on their own and with their doctor’s advice.. Stories of women being treated poorly and the issue of rape is so wrong. To see their stories of being mistreated and abused is truly sad.
In church on Sunday the rector of the parish we were visiting said that wisdom is feminine and who am I to argue. Many women in my life are way smarter than me. They inspire me in so many ways. I have been blessed in my life to have many great women as family, mentors and friends and bloggers. From my wife, to my mom to my grandmother they all make me a better person.
As I have said before women need to have the freedom to make their own choices and decisions without the interference of men unless it’s in a marital situation where a joint decision needs to be made. Women should be able to take their own path in life to make their dreams come true.
So my sisters keep reaching to break the glass ceiling, do your thing, be your own people. Be strong, be courageous.
We went to see a Chattanooga Theatre Centre presentation of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” and it occurred to me that the queen of East Tennessee music is quite the feminist. This play and movie is about empowering women to be who they want to be on their terms. I think in the 21st century women should have the freedom to answer life’s call on their lives in whatever form it takes whether it be mother or minister, president of our country or CEO of a corporation. Women are a powerful force for good and they get stuff done. So their work from 8 to 6 or 9 to 5 is more valuable now than ever. As a man I support their wanting their own dreams to come true.
I think feminism empowers women to be whoever they want and to achieve their dreams in the same way that men do. A good man will want the women in his life to be the best they can be in life. I also think there needs to be respect from both sexes/genders to create a environment for everyone to succeed. It’s been said that feminism doesn’t mean excluding men but perhaps empowering them to be inclusive and sensitive to our sisters, mothers, aunts and other women in life.
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