When Helen Reddy sang, “I Am Woman Hear Me Roar” back in 1972, I’m a little embarrassed to admit that it registered more like a catchy tune than the powerful anthem it was.
Perhaps it was my teenage preoccupation with securing a Saturday night date, but the women’s movement was barely a blip on my radar. Oblivious?
Uh, you could say that.
My activism throughout the 60s and early 70s was mostly limited to memorizing my Hair album and sewing patches on my bell-bottom jeans. The idea that women couldn’t get a credit card in their own name, let alone secure a loan or go into business without their husbands’ approval, was a reality I was completely unaware of.
What I now know – as the beneficiary, a grateful beneficiary, of the women before me who did the work to demand things like, oh let’s see… control over our own bodies and a voice (gasp!) and seat at ALL the tables AND the for the right to say ‘enough is enough’ to harassment – is that: we are strong. We are, say it along with me, invincible. We are, unequivocally, WOMEN.
And if that doesn’t prove that my teenage angst over a cute guy asking me out was clearly lacking in priorities – then witnessing migrating red land crabs emerge from the depths to begin an epic six-mile trek for what can only be described as a ‘wham bam thank you, sir’ situation, really drove it home.
Those ladies know how to get shit done.
It was while watching The Americas (Season 1: Episode 8), narrated by Tom Hanks, that I spied those Cuban females… Ten. Million. Of. Them. … basically crab-walking their way across that multi-mile terrain, all while the sun threatens to literally broil them to a crisp.
Upon reaching their destination, there are no romantic advances. No lingering gazes. No fooling around. No time for pleasantries. The only thing on the agenda? Procreation. And, no ifs-ands-or-buts, it’s happening now.
When ‘the deed’ is done, six miles back they trek, carrying the weight of societal expectations… and a bazillion eggs. Meanwhile, the fellas are kicking back enjoying a Cuban and the ladies are muttering to one another, “Another six miles? For that?”
That arduous return is fraught with more of those scalding temps as well as a stretch of highway where they must dodge and dart through traffic. All in order to reach the Caribbean Sea to lay their precious eggs. It was at that point that I tried warning those bitches by yelling at the cars on the TV, “they’ve got eggs to lay people!!”
Finally, FINALLY, they reach the sea, perform a shimmy-like dance to release their eggs and fingers claws crossed get ready for what I can only imagine is… a little “me” time.
Courageous and resourceful and untiring, those motherf-ers will stop at nothing. They remind me of all the strength womanhood possesses; whether protecting those we fiercely love or making ourselves heard.
I might have been oblivious all those years and years and years ago, but it didn’t take me too long to get on board. The roar of women (and some delightful men) is no feeble muttering, but rather a bellow as loud and clear as ever.
Determined.
Intentional.
Steadfastly committed.
Even when we need to RANT AND RAVE to get shit done again and AGAIN.
‘I am strong, I am invincible, I am woman.’
(Mic drop.)
~ featured image via Pinterest
~ crab images via BBC
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!!!!! And after YOU recommend I listen to The Wiser Than Me episode with Isabella Rossellini, I also learned chickens are super smart women. They can SPIT out unwanted sperm if they don’t like the rooster!!!!!! There is so much female power in the world. We have a lot to learn from MOTHER Nature’s many creatures. AMEN SISTA. Love you
Oh the SPIT… what a great thing to have added!! Love all our female power and YOU!!
The first time that I wanted a charge card was for a Marshall Fields credit card. I was teaching school and in a dance company and thought I was pulling my weight in the work field. I remember having to ask my husband Allan to sign a permission slip so that I could get the card. I was sooooo mad, but I wanted that card, so I asked, and did it.
Isn’t that just the craziest thing to have had to do??!! Yikes. We’ve come a long way, but Handmaid’s Tale is sure rearing its ugly head. But we are full of female power and we are going to use it!! Love and miss you!