Equal to Boys

I thought that the chief thing to be done in order to equal boys was to be learned and courageous. So I decided to study Greek and learn to manage a horse.

– Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815 – 1902)

American Suffragist

I remember watching as the boys lifted one leg, placed their foot on the rung of the fence and leaned forward which resting their elbows on their thighs. It was at that moment, during my freshman year of high school I recognized the enviable differences between the boys and girls. They were confident, could go anywhere, say what was on their mind, be leaders, make other”s laugh and even eat whatever and as much as they wanted.

It seemed truly a man’s world. I often resented being a girl, having to have so many say and do things for my protection. I didn’t want to be protected, I wanted to experience life uninhibited, just like the boys.

I was more fortunate than most of the girls I grew up with. I did go to college, I moved away from home and even lived in Hawaii. I learned to ride a motorcycle, drive a race car, fly a plane and even have had mostly male friends. I played in their world feeling like I had accomplished something special. I managed to hang on to my feminine ways as well.

I didn’t have to give up anything, except having children of my own.