This generation believes they have unlimited opportunities to succeed -- and they can. However, they forget their gains weren't exactly easily worn: women in the 60s and 70s faced vile persecution. Some men thought they were stepping out-of-bounds, not knowing their place (whatever that meant), and denying and defying their feminity. Some of them were ridiculed by family, friends, and the community, but they fought on for the rights of women in their generation and for generations to come.
Now, the torch has been passed to this generation, and hopefully, the generations to come. Of course, with all of this new found freedom, comes responsibility: women have to be qualified and should be to compete in society; not given opportunities because they're women.
I'm African-American, and sometimes the only one in my classes in college and some jobs I've had. Sure, I might have been hired because the jobs had to meet quota standards (espcially the ones receiving federal assistance), but I can reassure you -- I was highly qualified -- even more so than my white counterparts.
I worked at a State position wherein I was the only female, African-American teacher, for about 14 years...personnel preferred not to hire black African-American males. Don't ask me why...but I speculate that they have two in one: female and an African American woman. So, when they submitted data to the federal government, regarding race, their backs were covered -- that's why I dubbed it -- the two in one factor.
Finally, we're lucky to be living in a land filled with promises and unending opportunities for men and women. Women, strive not for mediocrity, but for success!
Denise Michelle Phillips (Episcopalian), retired high-school teacher
