Here we go again... my my!!

Well, it seems that it's been a significant amount of time since the last time I wrote a blog.  So much has happened, and frankly, it would take me three years to catch you all up.  I essentially stopped writing a blog, because frankly, I didn't see much point.  But it seems that every man and his dog gets to give their opinions these days, and I'm sick of having facebook conversations that can at times be limiting (nobody wants to read a long facebook status) so I thought I'd start blogging my thoughts again.

Over the coming weeks, I'm going to be looking at the messages we send young women.  This is an area that I have always been passionate about, because I was raised by parents who believe that being a woman shouldn't be something you're judged for.  My mother has been accused of being a staunch feminist - and I would say that rather than a feminist - she's more someone who believes in TRUE equality for people - regardless of their sex.  She has fought battles openly within The Salvation Army - along with many other strong and intelligent women - for issues such as not having to wear hats (particularly since the men didn't have to), equal pay (rather than the pay scale couples used to have), wearing trousers rather than skirts as part of the work uniform and many other "seemingly menial" battles according to those around these women at the time.  She isn't a feminist in as much as she doesn't believe women are BETTER than men, she just believes that we are all created equal in the sight of God.  Incidentally, so does my father.  This is a man who looks past gender and rather judges someone on what they are bringing to their field of experience.  It grieves my dad when he sees women get overlooked for positions of leadership based purely on them being a woman.  It upsets him when women are treated with disrespect by the media and by other people - particularly when that woman is in leadership.  A friend of mine told me recently that the thing that she loved most about my dad is that "I don't think he even notices that I'm a woman" - I think that says two things - one, that this is an issue that is bigger than we realize (because why should anyone notice that you are male or female in business, they should look at your skills) and two, that to him it doesn't matter either way - male/female - you are just a person to him.  As their daughter, I've been raised in an environment where I was told I could be anything and anyone I wanted to be, as long as I treated people with kindness and respect. I was given a voice around the table, and my voice was valid.  If anyone else was around the table and disrespected me or my mother or my sister for their voices - they were swiftly put in their place.  As a result, I always knew I was valued for my contribution, and my intellect, and so I struggle when people overlook me or do not allow my voice to be heard.

I say this, because I need to precursor my next few posts - which will be both a criticism of both the current political AND media climate about women, and an encouragement to the many young women I work with and others that stumble across this blog. 

Quite frankly, whilst I'm open to "debate" - make sure your arguments are not in any way shape or form misogynistic or sexist, and that they are not personal attacks - because if they are they will not be published.  If you don't like what I have to say, and have no real intelligent argument against it, don't read.  If your argument is intelligent and not personal but is of a different opinion to mine - it will be published and I will respond.  It's quite simple - this is my view, not The Salvation Army's, not somebody elses - mine, and mine alone.  So whilst I'm happy to debate with people, if you are looking for something "official" - then do some research elsewhere.  The next week or so will purely be my thoughts.

I look forward to sharing (venting?!) more!

Blessings to all xo