Perspective with Gratitude
Posted in Family, All Women by Juli Fiocca
When I was a girl, my mom used to take me to the public library. The ‘original’ Palatine Public Library was housed in an old home in the historic district of the Chicago suburb. As the town grew, so did the investment in the town, and thus a new library.
We went about once a week; the impact of the books struck me intensely. The memories of the books lead to the memories of “Book Group”. I acquiesce that now “Book Clubs” are commonplace, but at the time (early 70s), the concept was fresh. Women were coming together – perhaps with similar energy as Elizabeth Caddy Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Jane Addams, or others – those who exemplify Gandhi’s powerful, “Be the Change you wish to see in the world.”
With gratitude, I thank the women in Mom’s Book Club. They let me be the fly on the wall; sometimes hanging out and listening to their discussions. They invited me to their outings – experiencing programs, speakers, artists, musicians. They included me and spoke to me as a young woman, shaping my ideas about what is expected and what is possible. They came to my piano recitals, read my papers, talked about soccer, listened to my perspective.
Fast-forward. The change that these women inspire through their actions leaves its mark.
I was teaching Girl Scouts earlier this year (2nd graders); the theme, “Your Body”. The girls drew 4 pictures: their vision of themselves as an adult; the hygiene-activities they will do to support their vision; the nutrition decisions they will make to support their vision; the activities they will do to support their vision. Fantastic results – these 8-year-olds see themselves as a veterinarian (my daughter), a dancer, a doctor, a scientist and artist (my daughter’s brilliant best friend), a teacher – they expect themselves to contribute to theworld. Further, they have clear and unencumbered expectations about what they do to be healthy and fit. Granted I’m ‘dating’ myself here, but frankly, many of their mothers grew up in the 70s when active girls were ‘tomboys’. These barriers are changing. Progress.
