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February 09, 2007
Friday Shuffle - The Girly Show Edition
I'm sure by now most of you have read about the yesterday's tragic passing of a very important woman. That's right, I'm talking about the death of Harriett Woods.
That's not what you thought I was going to say, is it? I'll bet most of you don't know who Harriett Woods was. If you live outside the state of Missouri, that's okay. If you live in Missouri and don't know who she is, well, we might need to have a little talk.
Ms. Woods was 79 when she passed from leukemia last night not far from my home. But how she died isn't the story; from what I've read she had a comfortable passing in her home, as she wished, with her loved ones near. We should all be so lucky to go in such peace with so little fanfare.
The story is, Ms. Woods served as Missouri Lieutenant Governor from 1984 - 1989. She was the first woman ever elected to a state office in Missouri's history. The other trails she blazed: first woman editor of her college newspaper, Missouri’s first woman on the state Transportation Commission, first woman to serve as a major-party nominee for the U.S. Senate. She also served as president of the National Women's Political Caucus. She was a journalist at a time when women weren't in the news business (the St. Louis Post-Dispatch had no female reporters when they turn Woods down for a job in the late 1940s). Through this, she was also a wife and mother to three sons born in a span of four years.
She supported anti-drunk driving laws, nursing home regulations, abortion rights, and the Equal Rights Amendment.
Ms. Woods had an impact on my life.
I remember her Senate run in 1982. I turned 10 two weeks before the election. While I don't remember the issues at hand, I do remember this: Ms. Woods was the first woman I had ever seen running for office. And yes, I actually paid attention to politics at that age. One of my mom's favorite stories from my childhood involves six-year-old Robin, sitting on a curb, arguing politics (I was liberal back then, even) with a little old lady during the opening parade for the Missouri State Fair. I remember watching Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford debate in the 1976 election. I was three, and I liked Carter. But I digress.
At nine, I was already interested in politics, already establishing my liberalism and feminism, and I wanted Ms. Woods to win that Senate race in a big, big way. Because she was a girl. And if she could do it, the rest of us girls could, too. While I've never aspired to run for office, I think that by her example, Ms. Woods taught me that women could be a part of the political realm, and that it's our duty to talk about the issues, stand up for our issues (or sit down on the curb to debate our issues). These are the reasons why I spent my high school years on the debate team, obsessed with news and politics. These are the things that contributed to the parts of my personality that I'm most proud of. Would I be the way I am without her example? Maybe. Maybe not. All I know is that when I saw the news of her passing, an ache developed in my heart and I felt the need to say thank you.
Ms. Woods, thank you. Thank you for showing a little girl what a woman can do.
As for the other death that's completely obscuring all the other news ...
If I hear one more person express shock or surprise at the death of Anna Nicole Smith, I think I might roll my eyes so hard that they'll be stuck backwards in my head for the rest of my days. Honestly. What's surprising about her death? Let's face it, she wasn't a shining example of healthful living (nor am I). Drug speculation aside, just the effects of years of yo-yo dieting and questionable diet drugs can take a massive toll. Add grief, constant public scrutiny, a full agenda of lawsuits, and God knows what else, and of course one's odds of keeling over prematurely are going to be through the roof.
Not that it isn't tragic, particularly for her infant daughter. Anna Nicole, from what I can see, led a life of desperation filled with the parasites who feed on it. That, too, is a tragedy. She was exploited, and she allowed it. But you know what? If I was 18-years-old with a kid to feed and I'd had nothing in my life - money or love - I can't say that I wouldn't have done the same things she did.
Or she could have found another way. This afternoon, I've been compelled to listen to Dolly Parton. You know how much I love Dolly, don't you? With a passion that goes back to when I was around Clara Jane's age. She's brilliant, beautiful, and she's lived her life on her terms in a time and place where her times weren't the norm. She pulled herself out of desperate poverty to make a life and name for herself while keeping her dignity and values intact.
Of course, Dolly also has talent that isn't limited to the contents of her Maidenform.
I guess I'm just a little sad today that we live in a world where we feed on the lurid details of a tragic, wasted life instead of celebrating people - especially women - who've done amazing things.
I spent my day with amazing women. Specifically, girls of the Pudding variety. Watching Meredith, Clara Jane, and Harper marching through my house, happy and laughing, so comfortable with themselves while Angie and I sat at the dinner table over lunch and conversation does give me hope that perhaps Harriett and Dolly's legacies will soon be the norm.
Before we shuffle, do me a favor and spend a little time with Dolly.
1. Bring the Family - John Hiatt
2. Vertigo - U2
3. That's Not Me - Beach Boys
4. Savior - Red Hot Chili Peppers
5. Pepito - Calexico
6. Fingertips, Pt. 2 - Stevie Wonder
7. Idiot's Revenge - Bottle Rockets
8. Bowling Green - Neko Case
9. Galileo - Indigo Girls
10. Things Aren't Funny Anymore - Merle Haggard
Posted by Robin at February 9, 2007 02:55 PM
Comments
I had a friend die recently because of a painkiller and alcohol overdose.
When I would look at Anna Nicole, she looked like my friend in the last few weeks of her life: dazed, slurring words, confused and she looked exhusted. I think the situations in Anna Nicole's life led her to seek comfort from being doped up all of the time.
I feel so sorry that no one was able to make her see herself for more than she portrayed in life. I am sorry that she was unable to see the beauty and potential in herself.
I agree with you 100% when you said that women are not celebrated as creative, strong, powerful and valuable individuals that we are. Clara Jane is lucky to have someone that will inspire and encourage her to be great in life.
Your post reminded me of a comment Elizabeth Cady Stanton makes in Solitude of Self (I may be wrong here), "The strongest reason why we ask for woman a voice in the government under which she lives; in the religion she is asked to believe; equality in social life, where she is the cheif factor; a place in the trades and professions, where she may earn her bread, is because of her birthright to self-sovereignty; because, she must rely on herself."
Posted by: Katrina at February 9, 2007 05:20 PM
I agree. It's sad when women (or anyone for that matter) who have made significant contributions to the world are overlooked in favor of those who seem to be famous for being famous.
But then infamy is the new celebrity.
Posted by: Dixie at February 9, 2007 05:43 PM
I can always judge the Hollywood-ness of a news story if my MIL calls me to talk about it. Which she did, a mere minute after I read it on Yahoo.
Posted by: allison at February 9, 2007 09:10 PM
Robin, what an outstanding post. Thank you for introducing me to Harriett Woods.
Posted by: Exena at February 9, 2007 09:31 PM
I love Dolly too!
Posted by: Julie at February 9, 2007 11:17 PM
This was a good post. I didn't know who Harriet Woods was but it was interesting to read about her and about her impact on your life.
It seems to me that often people don't know what they want to do with their lives but they know they want to be famous and they don't even seem to care what they are famous for.
Posted by: Katya at February 10, 2007 11:19 AM
