I have to say that there are a lot of impressive women in the world today who are making the world a better place. We just don’t know them by name or face, but they are out there: Sheryl Sandberg, Angela Merkel, Sonia Gandhi, Jill Abramson, Cristina Fernandez, Cher Wang and the list goes on and on. To be honest, I had to look most of them up so now you can, also.
In 2011, these women (and millions more) went about their lives and their businesses without bringing shame to themselves, their families and women all over the world. As far as I know, none of them forgot to wear underwear while making an appearance in court or lifted a necklace from a high end jewelry shop while the security cameras rolled. Hey, I am sure there is a skeleton or two lurking in their closets (I had to build an extension to my house to hold the overflow from my life) because none of us are so, so squeaky clean. But I think most of us are not making complete jackasses out of ourselves as a way of making a livelihood.
Sadly, there are a few who have turned public stupidity into an art form and have confused the minds of young girls all over the world. I am glad I had role models like Gloria Steinem, Geraldine Ferraro, Betty Freidan and Betty Ford and not the women that make the news today. None of them were saints, but they were truly inspiring, sexy by living in their own skin, intelligent, and probably the center of attention at parties because of the full lives they led.
I have young nieces that I would love to see impact the world for the better, cherish their bodies and adore their minds and go after what will make them feel whole. They are bright and full of potential and don’t need the likes of the women who made the news over and over again for all the wrong reasons in 2011. All these young women were successful at doing was sending the wrong sound bites to the girls and young woman of today.
It needs to change and if that means you need to go away then Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Snooki, and Linsday don’t let the door hit your overly photographed butt on your way out of the public’s consciousness.
I have to bring up one more thing that made my head spin a bit this year concerning women. To know me, is to know that I delight in using a slew of words that would make my sainted grandmother roll over in her grave. I do like to get your attention and hold it or make you think and if that means peppering up my repertoire a bit – so be it. But I know when to stop and I know that there are words that should never, ever be uttered by women.
The movie, Bridesmaids boasted an ensemble of women comediennes and actresses and a very cute cop. It was somewhat amusing, but not really memorable. I am a Woody Allen groupie so I did not love some of the low brow antics in the movie but I was glad to see a group of strong performances by a group of women. And then they went a ruined it for me by using the “c” word. Did you have to? Did you have to use a word so vile, so insulting to women just for a freaking laugh? BTW – it wasn’t funny at all. It sucked.
I demand better from all of us in 2012 and I am willing to start with myself because that is the only way things will ever change.
But I am not hopeful. I can only imagine what Bridesmaids Part Two will do to make women feel insulted and cheapened. And God help us if Kim gets married again.
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You’re right. There are tons of impressive women, living quietly, doing good by the world and making it a better place. The Kims and Linsays get all the media attention, but the real super women get noticed by their families, neighbors and co-workers — people who really matter. (Thanks for saving me from Bridesmaids–I won’t bother now)
Elizabeth,
I found you article on Womens Lit Cafe about the books you won’t read this year and enjoyed it so I checked out your site. I LOVE IT and subscribed!
Its great to find another soul who gets it. The Kardasians and Lohanns of the world make great characters in books, they’re so over the top, but as real women please. I look around and wonder, often, what Steinman thinks. What she fought so hard for, the equality between men and women, and we’re right back to groveling and gold digging over men. I have three daughters and when they go off on a superficial bend I tell them they have more freedoms, opportunities, and choices than any women in history! Do you want to be remembered for what lipstick color you wore today? Or the basketball you almost dunked? Or the five honors courses your taking? Cause lots of women before you fought long and hard for your rights, and your number one responsibility is to leave this world a better place than how you found it. To much of what young women see is superficial, and I have tall beautiful girls, I wonder what the world will do to them? God knows I’m sending them out there ready for battle, with education, a good dose of sarcasm and compassion.
I’m done with my rant now! Enjoyed your site, and wit and humor, because really, its our best weapon against the Kims of the world.
Thanks, Elizabeth Marx, author
Elizabeth – Loved the rant and I am so pleased to hear that your daughters are being educated by such a fine woman who has such a brilliant first name! Things are so different for young girls and women and to take steps backwards makes no sense. You won’t find me in a burlap sack sans makeup, but I like to work on both the inside and the outside.
Pleased you liked the blog and come back again soon. Happy 2012!