GLORIA EMPOWERS

On Oct. 19^th I attended the Legislative Lunch with Gloria Steinen on UCF campus. The Impact of the Upcoming Elections for Women was the topic of discussion yet I came away with so much more. I was in high school while Gloria was known as an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist who became nationally recognized as a leader of, and media spokeswoman for, the women's liberation movement in the late 1960s and 1970s. She began her speech by asking if we would like to have Gov. Rick Scott in the Doctor’s office with us while being examined!  If Amendment 6 is passed that is exactly what will be happening.  Family health help will be in jeopardy if passes. Abortion decisions should only be made by women and the support of their doctor not the government.  Medical care will be taken away and the cost will fall on women and their families.  

Gloria stressed the importance of women and all American’s to vote in this election. “The power in the day is in our vote” was what she said and I could feel the energy in the room come alive.  Also stressing Voters for Choice, Choice U.S.A., the need for Sex Education in schools, Equal pay would be the most economical stimulus in the U.S. would create not only jobs but power.

The quote that stands out the most from her amazing speech was “Femininity and Masculinity are made up roles. We are all human, and roles manipulate both men and women. We should not be ranked but linked as human beings”. I’ve never been so empowered by hearing someone speak. I’ve never wanted to act out and go out and do something to perpetuate these feelings before. As I walk around campus now and since her speech the first question I ask young students is are you going to vote? And PLEASE vote no for amendment 6.

Tattoos

In "Marked for Life" Silja spoke of  her tattoo's being a source of inspiration, to get her through her struggles in life. Living in many different areas and cultures she found it very difficult to fit into many stereo typical  groups, she retreated deeper within herself. Tattooing gave her Strength, and empowerment over things she could not control. Many people look down on women that decorate the bodies in the same manor as men.
Although these are the same people that buy into the cosmetic industry, jewelry including belly piercing, and breast implants as a normal part of women's lives. Many women are not comfortable or accepting of themselves and the cultures they come from. Most people say regret will come later in life when your older and you still have the tattoos you got when you were young. I myself have a very small tattoo in a place that only my husband see's. I didn't get this tattoo for the same reasons Silja did, I got it on a dare, but I love it and what it stands for, as I am sure that is what Silja feels also.

I found the stories on "Unwanted" much more of a concern then the "Marked for Life". I feel that cutting is an outward cry for help. In Precious Angel when someone finally noticed the pain this young girl was in no one could help her. Sure they tried to "fix her" through nurses, doctors, hospital, and counselors, yet at the end of her story she could only say she is better yet she did consider suicide. I know a girl that was a close friend of my son and his crew of high school friend. She is beautiful, intelligent, friendly, and what I thought was very confident. One day during a summer party at my home I noticed she wasn't in the pool, or not playing volleyball. After asking her if she was alright she stated that she didn't bring a suit. after offering her shorts and a tank top I walked in on her changing in my room to see cuts on her thighs. These were only a day or two old and I was shocked, I looked closer to see many scares from past cutting. I started to cry and so did she. we spent a couple of hours talking to find out that she was to horrified to speak to her very busy mother who she felt wouldn't care anyway. This girl was hurting in a way that I couldn't help other then letting her cry and talk with me. Finally I told her that I would go with her to speak to her mother, and if her mother couldn't give her the help she needed I would find someone that would. 

It has been along battle for 'Amy'  (not her real name) but today I get long emails and photos from her along with pictures of her beautiful twin daughters that inspire her everyday of her life to be a strong, empowered women, with her knowledge she has made a vow to never cut again and to be there for her daughter when the teenage world grabs a hold of them.

Both readings and my sons friend have a connection in the struggles young girls go through just to live life in what they believe to be an acceptable way of dealing with pain within themselves.   

570 words

Talvi, Silja J.A.. "Marked for Life: Tattoos and the Redefinition of Self." Body Outlaws. Ed. Ophira Edut. 2nd ed., Expanded and Updated. Emeryville, California: Seal Press, 2003. 211-218. Print. 

Angel, Precious. "Unwanted." My Sisters' Voices: Teenage Girls of Color Speak Out. Ed. Iris Jacob. New York, New York: Holt Paperbacks, 2002. 201-203. Print.

Beauty Quiz

Link to Beauty Quiz
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/fitness/quiz.jsp?quizId=/templatedata/fitness/quiz/data/1146513593096.xml

I saw this old ad for Legos and thought how wonderful that the girl is in regular play clothes, enjoying a non-gendered toy.  No princess outfit, tea sets, glitter or dolls.  The caption says it all for me, "What is it is beautiful."

Introduction

Hello my name is Gerri and this is my junior year at UCF. I am seeking a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Majoring in Art History and Humanities and minoring in Woman’s Studies. I love cooking and gardening, hiking, and sailing.  I am not your normal college student but I have noticed that there are quite a number of 50 + year old students on campus. It’s great to see that people are going back to school and starting a new chapter in their lives. I am a wife, daughter, mother, sister, and aunt and soon to be grandma that want to be a mentor to young girls to help them see that life is more than what TV and Magazines shows and how to succeed in life  becoming  strong and independent.

I am interested in woman and girl studies so that I can use the experience I have in living life with the knowledge that I will acquire through these classes to help relate with girls. Raising two strong young men to respect woman was an accomplishment that I am very proud of and enjoy their success in their personal relationships with strong young woman. My oldest son is married to a strong independent woman that he respects and supports in all of her interests and endeavors.   

I believe that popular culture strongly affects the way girls think of their bodies and their self- esteem. They seem to be afraid to be themselves for fear that they will not fit in or belong in the same group as their peers. 

Growing up in a disconnected family I learned the majority of things from classmates instead of from a strong female that I believe would have made a significant difference in the way I viewed myself and developed my self-esteem. Due to a lack of that strong female in my life it took a long time for me to understand what I was capable of doing with my life. That old saying comes to mind “ If only I knew than, what I know now”. But saying that I still wouldn’t change the last 30 years of my life. I now have a strong family and believe that my boys have a strong female in their lives that has made a difference in the way the view themselves and the value of the woman in their life.   

HI