When I downloaded my copy of The Shriver Report: “A Woman’s Nation Changes Everything,” I was struck by a sense of deja vu. Just a few weeks earlier, I had received an invitation to an event hosted by The White House Project called, “Add Women, Change Everything.”
The coincidental titles place quite a burden on the shoulders of American women, who already appear to be less happy than men, according to Huffington Post blogger Marcus Buckingham.
But you know what? I think we’re up for it.
Consider that women have labored for centuries under the religious presumption of inferiority. In the first books of the Judeo-Christian Bible, we are clearly delineated as somehow inferior to men, unclean during our natural menstrual cycles and after childbirth. After childbirth. And still, many women have borne children for generations.
Consider that women’s accomplishments too often take a backseat to men’s, that a relative few iconic women have earned a place in our history books, which are replete with apocryphal tales of our “founding fathers.” In fact, the National Women’s History Project 2010 theme is “Writing Women Back into History.” And still, many women make history.
Consider that, since 1870, fewer than 40 women have run for President, and only one, Senator Hillary Clinton, has ever come close to being endorsed by a major party. And still, many women continue to run.
For every obstacle a man overcomes, we have two, the obstacle itself and the generational labels attached to our insides to remind us we are the “weaker sex.” We are told in subtle and not-so-subtle ways we do not deserve opportunities and education and achievement, that having these things make us unattractive partners.
And still, many women have them.
Already, people are arguing over whether The Shriver Report is too cheery, not inclusive enough of single women, ignores in its conclusions the life-threatening realities women face. I am still reading. I am also planning to attend the Add Women, Change Everything event, as a member of The White House Project Michigan Cabinet, a group dedicated to raising funds that will equip more women to make their voices heard.
But sometimes, I wonder if women already do change everything.
I wonder if more of us need to realize that’s what we’re doing.
