Random Thoughts

When I was a kid, I wanted to be Nancy Duncan when I grew up. I didn’t want to be LIKE HER, I wanted to BE her. She was my hero. And it is because of her that I know to call her a hero (and not a heroine). You see, Nancy Duncan was the first feminist I ever met. Of course, I didn’t know it at the time.   It was around 1976, which would make me 10 years old, and I was smack dab in the middle of the Midwest in Omaha, Nebraska.   Nancy Duncan was my theatre teacher, my director, and (like I mentioned), my hero . Everything about her was perfect in my eyes.   Her wavy, messy hair.   Her loud laugh.   Her funky, multi-layered clothing.   Her smile.   Her genuine way of caring for those around her.   Her wit.   And her kindness.   I was just one of hundreds (thousands?) of kids she taught and directed.   I am sure nothing stood out about me that made me special in her eyes.   But in my eyes, oh in my eyes...

When I was 8 years old, I was playing hide ‘n’ seek in the backyard.  I was watching “Little House on the Prairie”.  I was trying to perfect my back handspring. What I was NOT doing (yet) was being a bad-ass feminist. And that is why I was so happy when I saw this post last month:  “Don’t forget to stop by and support this bake sale fundraiser held by two sweet and amazingly bad-ass 8-year old besties right here in Fairlington! Don’t live nearby, but still want to contribute? Feel free to Venmo some funds to @Shineca-Solomon for the cause! All proceeds will go to women's rights/protection groups in honor of the late and great RBG ( futureswithoutviolence.org and nwlc.org ). Both organizations have incredible track records and are rated 4 stars on charity navigator. There will be lots of fall flavors (pumpkin, pecan, apple, and real masala chai to drink!) and DOG TREATS!! They are a little over halfway to their goal of giving each organization $1,000! Please support...

I guess I have always been a feminist.  A feminist in the sense that I believe that all genders are equal. The older I get, the more deeply I believe that, and the less I care about people who judge me for it. Apparently this is what a feminist looks like while watering the garden I am also a democrat, and a believer of many of the ideals the democratic party supports: women’s right to choose, gun control, health care as a human right, equal rights for all, etc. The night before the election at a big rally in Virginia In the 2016 presidential election I was unabashedly on TEAM HILLARY.  I had a big yard sign.  I sported t-shirts. I watched the debates (and played debate BINGO).  I was all in.  Ready for GOP Bingo - early on in the campaigning season Peace, Love, Hillary (canvasing with my partner 2 days before the election - we knocked on 49 doors and talked to 59 people) I live in Arlington, VA, very near DC, and on electio...