Female Independence

Recently, I came across a gal who had been studying anthropology for years now at various universities.   She mentioned that her young family had suffered while she studied.   Her young husband was supporting them all as a struggling chef.  Pragmatic me, asked her about employment possibilities.  Yikes.......not good.

Women in America make an average of 23% lower wages than men do, yet they have that extra shift, the night shift when they are doing the laundry, cooking, shopping, cleaning.  You know the drift.

In this economic situation, which doesn't look like getting any better any time soon, what would you advise?

If I had daughters in high school right now, and if they asked me what would I advise to do as a career to ensure a steady income and some independence.

My advice would be, look at the trades.  Become a welder, iron worker, transit worker, medical, manufacturing, organic farming, cottage industries.  Something that is traditionally male dominated, and be better than the guys.  I was a project manager for an international construction company and was astounded that there were no other females on these huge projects including the San Francisco Airport Remodel.  The only woman was a safety officer who played power games with the men, unfortunately. 

My other advice to daughters, get your own place to live no matter how small.  Secure it as a refuge from family distractions and a place to recover. 

What would be your advice to high school daughters?

Congratulations Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi is a democratic female leader of Burma, who has spent the last 15 years under house arrest with time in prison with hard labour for her political views.

April 2nd she was elected to a political seat and leadership of the Democratic Party along with 43 other females.

I have been following her life since I visited Burma, now known as Myanmar. Burma at that time was a communist Buddhist country which only granted 10 day visa's with a $100 spending limit for each visitor. 

Burma is one of the poorest countries in Asia due to civil wars since British rule in 1948. A beautiful country with a long coastline.  Rangoon is the capital city. Mandalay was a hill station in the north dotted by huge English style homes with wide verandas known as Queenslanders.  Also, the old British enfield motorbikes were still running from after the WWII, obviously pieced together by cannibalising many bikes to get one to run.  Overall a peaceful Buddhist community, unlike some of the noisier countries like Thailand, Malaysia or India. 

Aung San Suu Kyi, is the daughter of one of Burma's former democratic leaders.  She is a Nobel Peace Prize winner.  Educated, tenacious and smart.  She has had huge international support entertaining various international leaders at her home over the years of house arrest, notably Hillary Clinton, a huge fan.

Aung San Suu Kyi, an inspiration to all women around the world.  In the leagues with Nelson Mandela, another soldier for democracy.

Vacation

I'll be taking a little vacation from this blog while I work on my cancer.

Be back soon and please let me know what issues you want some research on.  Your comments are called for.

We've got a long way to go with women like the S.C. governor stating recently that " women aren't interested in contraception".  Family Planning clinics may become a thing of the past.

I won't give up, nor can you.