A Woman's Place

I'd like to start out this post by saying that I believe a woman's place is in the house. And in the Senate. And in the governor's mansion. And in the White House, should Providence see it that way. A woman's place is anywhere she dadgum well wants it to be. End of discussion.

The fact that Gov. Palin has five children, a special needs child and a pregnant, unwed teenager doesn't really concern me at all when it comes to her run for VP. It's nobody's business--your's, mine or the media's--how she handles her family business. It's an honor to be selected as a running-mate and as long as she has the support of her family, more power to her. If I don't vote for the McCain-Palin ticket, it won't be because she's a woman and ought to spend more time at home. It will be because I don't agree with her on abortion or Iraq (though she speaks very well and very intelligently on both subjects.)

If women kept their talents hidden at home (although, it's important for a woman to fill her home with those talents) the world would, indeed, be a dreary place. Women have a unique ability to change the world around them for the better. The problem is, I think, that the world so often changes women. The world needs leaders who are truthful, compassionate, gentle and kind while standing up solidly for all that is good and decent. It is absolutely imperative that a woman be involved in her community, whether it's with the PTA, mayor's office or Capitol Hill. What the world does not need are so-called feminists who are mere shadows of what being feminine is all about. I think we need to make that distinction.

I hoped for quite some time to have a political career. In fact, until my senior year of college, my goals were to that end. The reasons for deciding on that career path and deciding against it are my own and, ironically, centered around me being a woman. That's not to say that I have shut those aspirations down completely. I am still active in my community and when my children are school-age plan to make a run for the school board, then city council. That will be enough for me. I don't have to be a Senator in Washington to promote change around me.

Is there a difference between what women can do and what they should do? You bet your homemade chocolate-chip cookies there is. But what that difference is for the individual, I can't say.* I was taught from childhood to marry in my religion, and I did. But what about Esther, who is revered for her faith and piety? She married a heathen...with more than one wife even! Was she wrong? How do you judge her? She saved an entire nation and was very much favored by the Lord. It doesn't serve well for any of us to be a judge.

I'm so fed up with the media and other women; they can be so catty. So, you worry about you, I'll worry about me, and Gov. Palin can worry about Gov. Palin. It's all of our responsibility to make a difference in this world. I'm sorry, car pool lanes and play groups simply aren't enough. For good or bad, the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. If you want it to be your hand, you better get it in there.

*The only exception I make to this rule is pro wrestling, stripping and prostitution. No woman belongs in any of those. Though, we are very good at them.