Champion

I read a  couple of books from the airport news stand, in a haphazard way,  One was "My Life On The Road" by Gloria Steinem. Surprising, well written, of course, and compelling .  My personal hero - she is likely yours as well.  I read that book  twice, am fixing to read it again.

I watched The Glorias  last night. As is usually the case of the movie made from  book being  somewhat  substandard does apply . The book is so much  better, but ,for entertainment and a skip across a frying pan ,the movie is worthy. What a lovely women's force and yet here we are...ERA has not passed, abortion still threatened to go back to the sketchy streets, misogyny and patriarchy still going strong...We need more Glorias.  Do not take a back seat- smash the patriarchy  everyday for the rest of your life.  Be a Gloria!

I have posted this before but am doing so again because it is at the tip of my consciousness at the moment. 

 

She was speaking at a planned parenthood/ John Kerry / luncheon. My wealthy- from -Texan -oil friend invited me to go to the after party/reception, because obviously I could not afford it . I went -noticed  right away how out of place I was. The  women there, wearing girl tight  booby frocks with high heels and inches of make up, bejeweled ,  giving me the disdainful  one or twice over.  I thought I had  arrived at a Phylis Schlafly rally. WTF?- wrong turn?

 I had a paper camera , saw Gloria over by the crystal , ( the house for reception  in the most expensive neighborhood on the planet, above the sea, forested back yard, posh building, tennis court, pool- get the picture?- so yes, quite out of place, wearing  necklace that Erik had made for me when he was a child, Kerry political button,  sensible Birkenstocks , organic shapeless shirt and trousers)  I approached with my  dollar camera, bold, I must say! She could not have been more loving and gracious. (swoon). This is one of my warmest memories and  most favorite photos.  After snapping this with paper-I did not stick around, couldn't get out of that situation fast enough. Surreal- Did those well coifed tight assed women even know  the history ,the woman, the movement?  Don't think so...Anyway, the book is a good read if you are searching for something substantial and have not read it already. Gloria is 87 this year , still the sharpest pencil in the drawer.  The Champion! What a time , in our human experience , to have been living in  woman's body , mind and soul! So grateful for Gloria, the movement, the intelligence.