I’m writing my second novel about Gracie Kinkaid, a woman on a mountain Search and Rescue team. As a result, I’ve often considered the subject of women operating in a man’s world, whether it be at work, at church, at school or in life in general.
This blog is in honor of my mother, Evangeline Lamberts–my role model for women in a man’s world, my role model for fighting for what is right and just in the world.
In the early 1960’s, my mother was president of her local chapter of the League of Women Voters (still an incredibly important organization). Also in the early 1960’s, she was elected to the city commission–the first woman in the history of the City of Grand Rapids. She was also the only woman on the County Board of Supervisors along with 87 men.
Those were the days of the Jackie Kennedy pillbox hats and matching shoes and purses, when women always wore dresses. We dressed up to fly on airplanes and go to church and wore only dresses and skirts to school.
I can remember my mother going off to a meeting wearing a pink suit, a little pink hat with a veil, matching shoes and purse, matching pink earrings and necklace.
She used to complain because at her County Board of Supervisors’ meetings all the men smoked cigars. After every meeting she would have to have her suit dry-cleaned.
When I was older, she told me how the men’s wives often shunned her possibly out of jealousy, possibly because they were afraid she was going to steal them away. I know she enjoyed men’s company, but stealing other women’s husbands couldn’t have been further from her mind. She enjoyed the politics, the excitement, the brainpower.
Mom was unyielding and outspoken which some people found irritating. But that never seemed to bother her. She operated with absolute integrity. She was always up for a battle, fighting for what she thought was right and honorable and just.
One of my favorite stories about Mom who was only 5’3″ tall: One day she was stopped by a passerby on the sidewalk of downtown Grand Rapids.
“Are you Mrs. Lamberts?” the man asked.
“Yes,” she answered with some trepidation.
“But you’re so little!”
Little in stature. Great in spirit.
My recollection is that she wanted to run for mayor. She probably would have won–she was that popular. But rumor had it my father, whom I loved dearly and who was accomplished in his own right, didn’t want to be the mayor’s husband. (Remember, this was the early 1960’s.)
How many other women throughout history have missed living up to their full potential or been held back by the men in their lives or the religious or social standards of the times? Countless numbers. How many still are?
All you women out there who are reading this and need a little nudge (or a boot in the butt), think about it.
Put aside your fear, your worry, your inhibitions or whatever it is that’s holding you back.
Then go out and change the world!
Do it and make a difference!
Good post, thank you!
I don’t mean to sound like a misogynist, but the majority of women that have had a little boot, Thatcher and Palin, for example, haven’t been the best role model for women. That said, there hasn’t been many outstanding male leaders. Good luck with your novel.
Thanks for your insight. Regarding their commitment to service, their integrity and their honesty, my parents were the best role models one could ask for. Agree wholeheartedly with your comments, about Palin especially. She’s been no role model at all, except maybe a horrible one.
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