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?

A Woman Should Have

contributed by Sally S.

Maya Anagelou's

A Woman Should Have....

enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...

something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A Woman Should Have....

a youth she's content to leave behind....
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra..
one friend who always makes her laugh..and one who lets her cry

A Woman Should Have...

a feeling of control over her destiny...
how to fall in love without losing herself....

Every Woman Should Know...

how to quit a job
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without ruining the friendship
when to try harder and when to walk away

Every Woman Should Know

that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but its over....

Every Woman Should Know

what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
how to live alone...even if she doesn't like it

whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally....

Every Woman Should Know

where to go ...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming Inn in the woods..
when her soul needs soothing...

Every Woman Should Know

what she can and can't accomplish in a day..
a month....and a year....