“Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.” ~Anonymous
“For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.” ~Virginia Woolf
Fall! A time for root vegetables, sweaters, back-to-school and chopping wood. For me, it’s also a time for action! I find that as I struggle with balancing the end of summer fervor with the panic of preparing for the impending winter that my thoughts go into overdrive. My mind is keen to overthink and analyze, and lately I’ve been noticing debates about feminism all over the place. These thoughts have been swimming around in my head for a few weeks now, but they don’t seem to be getting any more organized. So, try to stick with me and share your thoughts, too!
Late season abundance!
Alexandra Wilson 
Karen Pennebaker 
Deb Bosworth 
Diana Henretty 
Charlotte 
Gail Pederson 
Emma 
Joan 
Laura R. 
Victoria 
Rose Eskridge 
Dorothy 
Lisa H 
Nanette 
Robbie Strahm 
Diann 
Lois Carlson 
Deborah 
Karin Weaver 
Linda 
Adrienne 
Linda Wigington 
April 
Care Kester 
Denise Ross 
Janice K. 
Marlene 
Sharon 
Judy Mac 
Marge Hofknecht 
Well-written – I may have to rethink MY definition of the words ‘feminism’ and ‘feminist’. Thank you!
Yay! You’ve made this post worth it, Barbara. Thanks for your feedback!
loved hearing your voice and that the process of becoming who you want continues.. have witnessed the farm life burn out over and over..life has a way of shifting priorities, be true to your dreams and be prepared for the doubts as your children grow and question what is really in their best interests. A hearty thumbs up to you from my once-upon- a-time farm.
“Life has a way of shifting priorities”–I love that, and it is so true. I’ve thought about trying to tally up the longterm plans I’ve made into an “accomplished” and “abandoned” pile, but it might be a bit too revealing about what really happens to those five year plans. I enjoy the waves and the challenge of making things work. Farming is hard on everything, we’ll see how long it lasts! Thanks!
Absolutely loved this post, post-feminist, post-patriarchy in-deed. When I first started my ag business, I applied for a loan. The banker went over my paperwork, called me in and said, “If you can find a man to co-sign the loan, we’ll give it to you.” I muttered something about sexism and told them never mind, I’d figure something else out. Figure something else out I did! Here’s what I’ve observed about women in ag. As it turns out, we’re better risk takers (we’ve definitely invented some awesome out-of-the-box HEALTHY businesses that have “woman-invented” stamped all over them) because, BECAUSE we’re disenfranchised. What did I have to lose? Not much. I wasn’t set to inherit land, money, or machinery, so rocking the boat and trying something different made the decision to jump less difficult.
A local TV station wanted to film me on my porch reading a book to two young children. To our surprise and delight there was an impromptu exchange between them that said how far we’ve come in a very short time. The boy said, “I want to be a farmer when I grow up.” The little girl got a puzzled look on her face and said, “You have to be a girl to be a farmer.”
Ha, this is great! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us. Where would we be without you, MaryJane? You rock!
Right on, farmgirl sister! I applaud you for your straightforward, facts-based approach to this (unfortunately) controversial issue. I’m afraid you may get some negative feedback to your post, however. I’m a 65-year-old farmgirl who is dismayed that we’re still having to fight this battle.
I know, I’m ready for it! It is a sad state of affairs, especially with how easy it is to get correct information these days…but it’s just as easy to get misinformation, as well. Best to you and yours!
You rock-on super family!!!! no matter what #’s might be added. God bless.
Thanks! Those silly hashtags! When I first read that, I was like, “Yeah, I’m a few pounds overweight, but what does that have to do with it?” Haha, early morning….
Great harvest and darling baby!
Thank you, Cindy!
You know I have been in law enforcement for 35 years….two more years and I can work one job, the ranch, instead of two. When I went into this profession, I truly was a piriah. Not only because I was small in statue but I was a female. It didn’t matter that I was a third degree black belt and had been competing nationally for years or that I had handled guns since I was seven. It didn’t matter that I communicated really well, talking my way out of difficult situations rather than using brute strenghth…I was a “girl”. I went into this profession for equal pay. And I don’t regret any of it.Yesssss, there were moments when I really wanted to smack some folks but I didn’t, instead I just did my job. And in all these years, it has been my goal to tell young women coming into this profession to just keep on keeping on. Because yes, there is still that stigma of women in law enforcement. But it is a little better and I believe in the women of law enforcement. Feminism to me is strength and steadfastness and the power to keep moving forward one step at a time. So! There’s my rather lengthy two cents! lol
For 61 years I have been hashing and rehashing this conversation you have so succinctly and eloquently related in this post. My only conclusion is that as human beings we have a long way to go but we certainly have the capacity to get there. I loved this post. Being a northern neighbor in the Interior I am impressed you found time to get ready for winter, take care of an adorable baby and think this convoluted subject through and write about. Just goes to show how feminism is alive and working. Looking forward to the next post. Stay warm winter is upon us. –Marji
I was born in 1961 and grew up in the heat of the feminist movement. As a teen in the 70’s during ( the unisex decade). I think the ever popular jingle, I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and never, ever let you forget your a man played summed up the social consciousness of the times. I knew women personally who did burn their bras and protest for equal opportunity and equal pay! I was taught, don’t marry young, choose a viable profession so you can be financially responsible for yourself. The idea of marrying and being domestic was seen as a weakness during those times to the point if a woman chose family over a profession first she was looked down upon by career minded women. There was a war between women who worked and women who chose homemaking as a career. I watched my own mother struggle with these issues as she raised three children. She tried to do it all and like so many women of that time realized that at times it was impossible. Equality for all humans is a worthwhile fight. If that’s feminism then count me in. But don’t judge me if I choose to put my marriage and family above a career. Strength and confidence can be gained in both roles. In my 52 years, I’ve been on both sides of that argument. The first chapter of my life was devoted to a career and business that I loved. The second half to my husband, our children, and our home. Both are rewarding paths. Thank God we live in a country where we ( men and women) truly are FREE to make these choices. And thank God for the feminists who stood up for equality in the first place. Great post, Alex! You go girl! Love, Deb ( beach farmgirl )
PS. Your sweet Ava will know your confidence and strength too and you will teach her to find hers, by following what’s in your heart naturally. Listen more and think less! Enjoy that sweet little family of yours!
Right on, Deb! I think that modern feminism is about–just like you said–being able to make the decision about what we, as women, do with our time and lives. If that is being a stay at home mother or being dedicated to a career or climbing all of the tallest mountains in the world, we should be able to do any of them without any cultural or societal backlash. Yay, strong women!
Right on! I Boy, did we use that phrase ” back in the day” … 🙂 Yay, strong women!
And, yay MaryJane for showing the world that women are not only good farmers, they can raise the bacon, and bring it home too! And they’ll turn you on your head with a little farmgirl romance to boot!
I love every bit of this post!!! From the words written, to seeing Miss Ava’s beautiful face, to seeing pictures with “what feminism looks like”, to the yaks thrown in for good measure. Well done! I’m passing this on and on and on….
Thank you SO much. I love yaks…
I am retired now, but my field was construction. Even with practice I couldn’t pound a nail as fast as a male carpenter, but I was just as good with power tools. I was a member of NAWIC, the National Association of Women in Construction. My friends and I did experience some negativity, but it was largely from people from outside the industry. I think people who are really knowledgeable about their field, realize that their way isn’t the only way. People who are not familiar fall back on the stereotypes.
My great grandmother was widowed with two sons and a couple of Apple orchards. That was all she had. A hired man would have cost more than hiring a girl to keep house, so she hired a girl, tied up her skirts, and climbed her own trees.