Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Women


My friend Susie from Susie's Big Adventure has written a brave and powerful post today. You see, Susie, is a former cop born in the USA, who now lives with her son and husband in Saudi Arabia. This is a smart and compassionate woman with a great love for her family. No, she is not naive, nor was she ever, about what she was getting into. She simply wanted her son to get to know his other side of the family. She has been 1 1/2 years there already. Her observations do not come from a place of judgement, or cultural ignorance and that is why I think she is one very powerful voice. Go over and read her excellent post today: Saudi Arabia Wastes Its Biggest Natural Resource: WOMEN.

Here are some quotes for today, inspired by her post. Image above by google.

I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a door mat or a prostitute. ~Rebecca West, "Mr Chesterton in Hysterics: A Study in Prejudice," The Clarion, 14 Nov 1913, reprinted in The Young Rebecca, 1982

Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, "She doesn't have what it takes." They will say, "Women don't have what it takes." ~Clare Boothe Luce

15 comments:

lotusgreen said...

i wish i believed that things have completely changed, since 1913....

Tessa said...

Thank you so much for that link, Yoli. A riveting read - intelligent, incisive and illuminating. And brave, too.

Anonymous said...

I love the new picture on the top...beautiful...
have a nice day

Dutchbaby said...

Beautiful photo! I'm heading over to her site now.

onesilentwinter said...

oh i will share this with two women therapist who will be leaving providence to teach in saudi!

i love your new header!!

ps. i would like to call newburyport a temporary home. i dream of foreign lands two..

Renee said...

The quotes are brilliant. Thank you.

Renee xoxo

Anonymous said...

Ah, you speak to my heart. Having been educated at a women's college, I never forget that a woman is our greatest resource.

Samosas for One said...

Check your yahoo account Yoli!

Number 6 and no more counting! said...

wow that is fascinating BLOG.

Lea
xo

A Cuban In London said...

As you rightly said, her comments are very witty. And the quotes you used apposite. Many thanks.

Greetings from London.

kitchu said...

thank you for the link, heading there next. you always have inspiring things to share. i lived in iran and bangladesh. and my father lived in saudi for 3 years. so i will be very interested in this.

Kat Mortensen said...

She's very brave to be there, isn't she? She certainly has a handsome family and I can understand her wanting her son to know his origins. I do appreciate her position on the use of women in SA society. It's very hard not to judge other cultures when they seem to me oppressing their own.

Kat

vicki archer said...

THAnks for the link - fabulous, xv.

Misty said...

First, thank you for commenting on my blog; I appreciate it. I am a follower of Susie in Arabia and find her blog such an eye-opener. I don't think I would have the courage to do what she did by moving to Saudi Arabia. Your blog is beautifully written. I will continue to stop by. I haven't been on either one of my blogs for a while.

Susie of Arabia said...

Gee, I get a little behind in my blog hopping, and look what I missed! Thank you for the kind words and the link. I've been a little down lately and seeing your blog definitely helped raise my spirits.
And your new blog header is gorgeous... thanks again, my dear Yoli.