A woman I worked with years ago told me that she had been an active feminist as a university student but got busy with the day-to-day concerns of life and work and was less involved or interested in women’s issues for many years. The birth of her daughter, she told me, raised her consciousness once again. I know that I was more of an activist in university, too. I don’t know that I’ve been radicalized with Reid’s birth or if I just have more cause to consider the role and treatment of girls and women.
International Women’s Day offers an opportunity to consider political and human rights of women around the world. I’ve been thinking about matters closer to home lately, though, as we’re looking for early novels to read to Reid. I don’t want to read to her from the cookie-cutter, pulp fiction featuring princesses, ponies, fairies and the like that is being produced so widely of late. “Classics” tend to feature boys as the main characters and girls as accessories or both boys and girls are present but in highly stereotyped roles. I know that there must be novels worth reading being produced. I need some help finding them. We’re trying Pippi Longstocking
This year’s theme for Canada is “strong women, strong world“. It could so easily be generalized to all human rights and political causes – all Canadians need to be particpating fully to make the changes we need to see and to make the world we want a reality.
Happy International Women’s Day.