Feminist

I have a friend from Iran.  She’s been living in Houston since I met her while attending The University of Houston, back around 2002.  I was working on my MBA, she was studying Information Systems.  She completed her Doctoral Studies, and is now a professor at St. Thomas University in Houston.  To me, she’s a great example of why we should all seek to empower women. 

Recently, I visited Saudi Arabia for a few days.  On my return, I emailed “Dr. Elham” (I love calling her that) and told her about my trip.  I contrasted the lack of opportunity for Saudi women with those available to her here in the USA.  Saudi women are only just now being allowed to drive cars.  They still do not leave home without the company of a male member of the family.  And covered from head to toe, all you see of them, are their eyes.

Hearing my reactions, Elham said she didn’t realize that I was such a” feminist”.  Well, maybe I didn’t realize it myself.  I have sons, no daughters, so maybe there are things about empowering women that just never really occurred to me.  But as I think about how many women and girls there are in my immediate family, I’m thinking maybe I should shift my priorities. 

The Women in my life:

Mom

A great Step-Mom

a Mother-in-Law (world’s greatest, actually)

a dear, lovely Wife

two Sisters (one here, one gone)

two Sisters-in-Law

a new Daughter-in-Law

a Girl-friend-in-Law (if there is such a title)

five wonderful Nieces

one (cute!) grand-daughter

more than a dozen girl cousins

several great female friends

Go Girls  !!