Women’s History Month
“When I think of women’s history month I really would love to rattle off a bunch of names of successful, brilliant, accomplished women through out time. I owe it to them, and I recognize the efforts that women put in decades before to give me the rights that I do have now. I respect each and every one of them, from earning women the right to vote, to education, and the rights in the workplace.
But what I really want to acknowledge for Women’s History Month are the women in my life today. I find myself at home, school, and work surrounded by admirable women.
At home, I have to congratulate my grandmother for being the woman she is today. She has worked her entire life, owned her own business, been a single mother raising two boys, and held a job until she retired at the age of 72. She has taken care of not only her own children, but grandchildren as well. She grew up in a time when women were not expected to go to University or College unless they had money, and even then they were looked down upon. She lost both her husbands but still raised two boys, working full time to support them-owning her own house. My grandmother taught me to never take anyone’s crap, no matter what sex they are. She is a woman who throughout the history of her life has broken boundaries in the worst of times, and this month is for her.
At school, I acknowledge the women I have met, both peers and faculty. I have had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented, driven and articulate women at The Equinox. I also admire my advisor, Tinker (Professor Foderaro) for teaching me not only the basics and ethics of journalism and running a student news paper, but about being a woman in the scholastics, and what it takes to be a success, as a woman, in an industry dominated by men. Her rich story and history of her life makes her another woman I admire.
And at work-any job I have had I had the pleasure of working with a successful woman-whether it was at the fast food level, or the corporate news at the suite level. I once met a producer who gave me some insightful advice. We shared desks next to each other and one day she smelled my cup of coffee and said, “Oh I wish I could have some right now, that smells great.” Without even thinking and as a gesture of kindness, I offered her a cup.
Her demeanor changed instantly. She suddenly leaned in real close across our desks and said to me in a severe tone never to offer anyone a cup of coffee. I quipped back real quick that it was just a kind gesture; I actually work at Starbucks part time and its hard not to want to offer.
She said, as women in this industry, you have to make it clear to anyone-even another woman that you will not be walked upon. She told me that my part time job only existed when I was there and that it wasn’t who I am. She told me that you will not become someone’s slave. You will not get someone’s coffee. That once you step into the office, even as an intern you are just as powerful and meaningful as the executive producer.
At first, I was pissed. I just offered to grab a cup of coffee! I wasn’t offering to tie her shoes. But then I thought about it more and more, and she taught me something when she basically scolded me for my kindness. She taught me that I should be who I am. She taught me to be professional and not let anyone boss me around, even as a young woman starting off in the business. She made me realize my worth. And my worth is not getting someone else a cup of coffee.
So for these women who have touched my life and the women before them-thank you.” JV
