Stories About Feminism
The journey of remarkable women
Feminism. Some misleading perceptions describe it as an act, when women trying to get their place above men, to not needing men in their life because they are already strong enough. Some opinions stated that feminism feels like a threat to men in the society, but in my view, being involved in this movement is necessary, in order to empower women, so they can help men to achieve objective together, working together as a team to make their life and the world better. In my perspective, supporting feminism, both from women and men’s side, would be beneficial for their lives in the long-term.
This year, I have the opportunity to read three books, discussing this issue. In each book, they share their personal experience and also other people around them, related to gender inequality in their surroundings and their view on those circumstances.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
This is an autobiography about her life journey, on how she becomes herself today. Being a minority (in term of race and gender) has given her valuable lesson on how to prove herself, so her surroundings can have an example, that certain opportunities are not exclusively available for certain people, but it is also available for anyone who is willing to make an effort in achieving it.
In this book, she also shared the challenges of balancing her time for her demanding work and child care, as it’s not an easy job, especially when your spouse was also busy building his career. Juggling with many things daily has forced her to teach herself to set boundaries and make priorities, both for herself and her family.
Creating meaning from challenges is not always an easy thing to do. Fortunately, she had a supportive environment, from her husband, girl-friends, colleagues, and her mother. These people in her life have taught her not only how to be strong and brave, but also how to stay grounded and kind.
“The noise doesn’t go away, but the most successful people I know have figured out how to live with it, to lean on the people who believe in them, and to push onward with their goals.” (Michelle Obama)
The Moment Of Lift by Melinda Gates
Melinda Gates has traveled the world to visit families in underdeveloped countries to educate them about health and family planning. Through this trip, she found out that in some places, women are still being extremely oppressed, because of the cultural stigmas around them. I found some stories really depressing, some women stay silent while being abused mentally and physically by their spouse or family member(s). Some of them are also girls, who are forced to get married to far older men, because of their family’s financial distress.
Behind these sad stories, Melinda Gates also shared a few stories of the local heroes, who are willing to help to solve these problems, through education and mediation. By supporting women through these activities, it is proven that the family’s condition starting to get better than before, even financially.
Through this book, besides knowing more about other women’s experiences on another side of the world, we can also learn that we can make positive impacts if we empower and lift each other up.
“The goal is for everyone to be connected. The goal is for everyone to belong. The goal is for everyone to be loved. Love is what lifts us up.” (Melinda Gates)
I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
Living in a conflicted country, Malala Yousafzai experienced daily hardship just to have her education. Under the Taliban’s authority, girls weren’t allowed to go to school, only boys have this kind of privilege. With support from her family, especially her father, she started to be involved in giving her voice to end this injustice in her country, because having an education is a right for every person. Until one day, she faced a near-death experience after the Taliban shot her on her way home from school. This event made the world headlines and moved many activists and country leaders to highlight this issue seriously.
After her recovery period, Malala keeps fighting and speaking out to end this injustice. Through her Foundation, Malala Fund, she is actively helping children, especially girls, in underdeveloped countries to have proper education, so they will have a chance to improve their own lives and those around them.
Malala shows us the value of courage to stand up for something that we believe in. She has found wisdom through adversity, a kind of attitude we need to learn from.
“Let us pick up our books and our pens,” I said. “They are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.” (Malala Yousafzai)
Learning from other people’s stories always be my favorite way to learn. In my opinion, as a woman, we need to learn to be courageous and independent, but at the same time, we also need to train ourselves to be kind and respectful to others. I believe, if women in the world have these qualities and keep empowering each other, we can create positive impacts to improve life in our communities.
