Women Rising

 

I have always had ZERO trouble talking. My role model was my mom, that indefatigable chatterer Joanie. Mom cherished and nurtured her female friendships, setting an example for her three daughters of how to converse on a pretty deep level. Now, some of Joanie’s habits didn’t stick with me—I never did learn how to enjoy talking on the phone, whereas the receiver of that black, curly-corded thing on the kitchen wall, was surgically attached to my mother’s ear 24/7. 

 

But I knew that women had more to offer the world than the culture of the 1950s and 60s had us believe—and that these very valuable contributions need NOT eternally revolve around men. I cringe to recall the Gals of TV Land, the June Cleavers and Harriet Nelsons and (His) Little Margies. Even the incomparable Lucy yearned mainly to be affirmed by doofus Ricky Ricardo! Even the much-more evolved Golden Girls (who, eeek!!!, were considered “seniors” but who were at least a decade YOUNGER than me!!!) spent an inordinate amount of airtime obsessing about the opposite sex!

 

Gradually, women are taking the reins of corporations, leading governments, producing and directing movies. Of course, they accomplish all of this while still being vastly underpaid, compared to their male counterparts. But I have hope for my daughters, all the daughters, that things will continue to improve. 

 

A lot comes down to awareness of our situation. To that end, the amazing writer/cartoonist Alison Bechdel (she wrote the book-turned-musical Fun Home) has what is known as the Bechdel Test. Simply put, women’s conversations with other women are scored by what percentage of them DO NOT MENTION MEN. AT. ALL. I’ve applied the Bechdel Test to theatre dialogue, books, even overheard real life convos, and the results are pretty disheartening. Blah, blah, men, blah, blah, men. We women still have a ways to go! 

 

Think about the guys, in contrast. While they do talk about women, it is often in chauvinistic, dismissive terms. Think of all the cultural offerings featuring testosterone-y soldiers, superheroes, cowboys and business execs, with nary a female to be found. I was struck anew when I searched for an original episode of “Project Greenlight” for my newsletter. The series, about aspiring filmmakers competing for the opportunity to make their movie, premiered way back in 2001. It was the brainchild of lifelong buddies you may have heard of, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. When I viewed Season 1 Episode 1, what did I discover? With one exception, every single would-be director was a white male (to add insult to injury, the early seasons were produced by the disgraced Harvey Weinstein). Forget about that idea!

 

It's still a cause for comment when women rise to the top, but I pray that soon it will be an unremarkable given. May this become a world where women talk with other women, passing the Bechdel Test with flying colors. 

 

Oh, and let’s throw in some equal pay while we’re at it. That’d be cool.

photo by Melissa Askew on Unsplash