Introducing Grandma

I am from a different generation, somedays I feel like it is really the break-away generation. I admire my Grandmother Frieda. In a patriarchal society, she was always treated as an equal partner to my Grandfather. Her faith in Christ may have wavered, but she never let go. She never worked outside the home. My Grandfather beleived in education and his children, both born in the Depression went to College. All of his eight grandchildren went to college - he gave us that chance equally - men and women. My Mother also went to college, but when she had her first child, she became a true farmer's wife. Long after her children moved away, she went back to college to re-earn her Nursing degree and return to the workforce. I, on the other hand, seemed to have it made. I was the first granddaughter to graduate from College. As a sophomore, our Basketball Program received the first Title 9 scholarships. I thought I was a part of earning them even though I played volleyball. No - I was just the break-away generation, receiving the reward of someone else's work. I went to work right out of College - hired by Basin Electric as the first woman in their Public Relations Division. I thought I was an incredible person with good creditials. Later I found out I was hired under the Affirmative Action Program. Again - I was just the break-away generation reaping the rewards from someone else's hard work. I have always worked outside the home, but as my husband began his military career, I found that I was mostly an anomoly. Slowly more families of my age needed more than one income to live. I was chastised more than once by a senior officer's spouse that I did not present myself well; it looked like my husband could not take care of his family. These same people would point to lower ranks and make the "snob" comments. For once I felt empowered - I had gone to college, I had a husband who gave me moral support, we had long term goals that required financing and these other people were not paying our bills!

A strong woman comes to terms with herself by realizing that she had help getting there. I work in an industry that is dominated by men. I am, and have always been, the only female division chief. But I got there by someone beleiving in me 10 years ago and mentoring me. I have been told by many women that they admire what I do, how I treat people and how strong I am as a leader. I admire strong women and will continue to learn from them. But I also know that I had great teachers - they teach us to challenge our beliefs, the way we see ourselves and make us questions our motives. That is how we become strong women who question, listen and make our decisions.

I only hope that my daughters can feel that they too are strong women of conviction!