In 2022 Where do you think we are in terms of equality between men and women?
I watched MAIDEN on Netflix over the weekend… HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! It’s a documentary about how Tracey Edwards defied the apparent odds and entered an all FEMALE crew in the Whitbread round the world race and completed it, in 1989. It’s actually quite shocking to see how men talked about women just 33 years ago. What was even more interesting was the male reporters at the time, and now talking in the present day… seemingly unaware at how offensive and chauvinistic their view point was, and continues to be!
These hugely intelligent and inspirational women were expected to fail at every stage. From purchasing a boat, to gaining sponsorship to actually doing the race. The reasons why men believed they would fail:
- Women are not Physically strong enough!
- Women think with their emotions, making decisions unrationalised and vulnerable!
Perhaps the worst reason?
- A group of girls… they will never get on.
It blew my mind watching it. In 1989 I was 11. I can’t believe that I potentially would have been subconsciously listening to this on the radio and news. Those women didn’t listen to the male dominated world around them and they completed the race and smashed down barriers for women to follow in their foot steps.
I am hugely grateful to all the women that have come before me, who defy the odds and continue to push for equality between men and women. It appears we have come along way but we still have a way to go!
As the mother of two daughters and a son, it massively resonated and made me really aware that I have a responsibility to show and teach my children anything is possible regardless of your sex!
What are your thoughts on this… do you think we are in a place of equality yet?