Feminists Rule!

Last night I made a decisive move. I went to a mid-career women's event. I skipped my MIT alternative class (the prof was gone, and he wanted us to go to a talk at the BerkmanCenter- oh, well) and actually went to my maybe second evening event at the Kschool - to put things in context - evening forum and other events are the heart and soul, it seems, of this place. Yeah, classes are fine, but there is a dizzying array of speakers and dinners that I simply can't go to b/c of parental duties. A friend pushed me over the edge to go - yes, it probably meant I stayed up a little later last night, but it was well worth it.

Ellen Goodman informally talked at a conversation with about 25 of my female cohort. She was always an inspirational columnist for me to read growing up, and I felt so privileged to hear about feminism again - this is such a word that few dare speak - even at the Kschool (or especially at the Kschool). In fact, we talked about how the "younger" generation of women have privileges that women her age had to fight for and don't understand that it is a battle not yet won - and that what is so important is for women to have each other to rely on for support. I really felt it in the room - everyone was so thrilled that I was able to come that it made me feel wonderful - yet also nostalgic and sad that we were going to be leaving soon. It also made me want to really stay connected with so many women.

What really struck me was something that Ellen said - that she sees mothers often tell their kids how sorry they are that they aren't able to be there for them at the various activities - either structured or not - versus telling your kids how happy and fulfilled (if that's the case) that you are doing work that is meaningful - it made me realize how incredibly energized I have been this year with my school work, yet I don't tell my kids that. Every time I leave I tell them that I wish I could stay home with them. I am that mother Ellen referred to. It might seem trite, but I really felt empowered after last night.