11 Nov Women in the Trump age- we can do this

by Rhonda Massad

Throughout the election campaign between Clinton and Trump, I was certain Trump could not win simply because there was no way women would vote for him. Women have come so far in the fight for gender equality; there was not one of us who wanted to take a step back.

When I woke up the day after the election and realized that it was not all a dream, I knew we, as women, were just going to have to be stronger than ever to forge forward in a world where sexism was far from a thing of the past. Trump has made it clear, the battle is not over.

When I was a child growing up, I wanted to prove I was equal if not better than the boys around me. I was a “Tom Boy” and would not back down from a fight or a dare. Time passes and life teaches you things. Winning every fight is not going to happen nor is it the way to gain respect and equality.

When you get knocked down, you must brush yourself off and get back up. Ladies we have been knocked down, and we are going to get up.

As time went on and age brought a certain water in my wine, I may have become complacent in the battle against sexism. When I was an elected official in my municipality, I bent as much as I could to fit into a world dominated by men. Sexist comments, slaps to the butt were commonplace but rather than make a fuss that would get me the reputation of being a girl in a man’s world, I silently let things slide. Accepting that there was still work to be done to gain equality in a man’s world. Hoping my daughters would see that change.

Equal pay for equal work is still not a thing of the past nor is locker room talk apparently. Why is it that when a gender equal cabinet is appointed in Canada for the first time, there is not some shame to go alongside the celebration. Why did it take so long? Why is this even an issue?

We may have grown complacent but thanks to Donald Trump we have been reawakened and given the push we need to drive this home for the sake of our daughters and our granddaughters.

How are we going to do it?

Maybe we should not be looking for equality but look to be ourselves. Different from men. Better? Maybe. We need to benefit from the evolution that has taken place at the hands of our foremothers. Take it to the next level.

It’s clear now: we can’t do this alone. Another woman who is promoted or celebrated or funded clears the way for another. Be the best we can be by supporting other women.

We can do this.