By Jessica Mccurdy Crooks Writer, Proofreader and Self-Proclaimed Bibliophile

When a

woman is

standing in

her full wisdom

and grace,

she is power

of a Woman personified. by Jessica McCurdy Crooks Writer, proofreader and self-proclaimed bibliophile

look at a woman, and traditional outfit, they denote pride We most of us notice her and a fierce sense of self that com- physical attributes: how she dresses, pel you to look at her and respect her hairstyle, or how she carries her strength. herself. On closer look, we realize The strong, devil-may-care that none of these are really her true look of the iconic biker chick embodiment. She is so much more may scare some people than these outward expressions or enough to leave extra signs … yet the wise woman some- room on the sidewalk, yet how seems to know that the two are there is no denying that her inextricably linked. attitude is strong and fear- For example, we see how the less, and in this strength we see elaborate headdresses and colorful a certain beauty. She embodies wraps of the African woman help the carefree and bad-ass attitude to tell her story in a way that words so many women only dream of, and cannot. When matched with her perhaps are afraid to explore. © feedough

12 LIV FUN / WINTER 2016 WINTER 2016 / LIV FUN 13 The same can be said for the Rastafarian woman. Whether her locks are flowing or wrapped up above her head, it is easy to understand why she is often referred to as an empress or queen. The regal- ity of her walk and mannerisms is compelling. Well-known Rastafar- Perhaps when a woman walk with her son Morty in a ian women like Rita Marley, widow truly knows who she is, only Gay Rights parade in 1972, then is she free to adorn her- a time when homosexuals of reggae icon Bob Marley, who self accordingly and live the were widely considered “sick” fullest expression of herself. and frequently met with vio- now fights for social change in im- It’s at this intersection of lence and disgrace. (Morty poverished parts of the world, and style and substance that a himself had been hospital- woman rises to take on her ized from a severe beating.) Toni Morrison, beloved author and personal power, a force that In the process of support- professor emeritus at Princeton can change the world. ing her son, she formed the group Parents, Families and University, both present an out- The Women Who Fought Friends of Lesbians and Gays for Human Rights ward image that is undeni- (PFLAG). Manford’s quiet yet Since the beginning of public love and support for “With her smile ably a reflection of time, wise women have her gay son helped open the and her style, exhibited a strength that door for families and friends their inner was unexpected of them, to begin to understand and She’ll protect you selves. often when facing violence, accept the homosexuals in like a child – hatred and oppression. Were their own lives. they born into it or forced by The SF Gate, in an article That’s a woman” circumstance? We may never published on January 10, know. We do know that their 2013, quoted San Francisco’s courage, their wisdom and Senator Mark Leno as stating their truth stood up to op- that “for her to step into the pression in many forms. street to declare support In her simple suit jacket for her mentally ill, outlaw and tie-neck blouse, Jeanne son — that was no small act Manford looked every bit the ... But it was what a mother’s typical middle-aged mom love does.” This schoolteach- when she hit the national er-turned-social activist spotlight. Manford, blithely was eventually awarded the “So amazing unconcerned for her safety Presidential Citizens medal in or popular opinion chose to 2012 for her work. how this world was made. I wonder if GOD is a woman. The gift of life astounds me till this day – I give it up for the woman”

14 LIV FUN / WINTER 2016 WINTER 2016 / LIV FUN 15 Manford joined a long tradition of Tubman and Harriet Beecher Stowe, The Modern Day Woman of this summer in Baton women who stood against injustice Anne Knight and Elizabeth Cady Style and Strength Rouge, Louisiana, with a despite the risks. Rosa Parks, Dorothy Stanton, but do we really understand Women do not have to be calm that belied her size Rogers Tilly and Eleanor Roosevelt the bravery it took to stand strong in warriors or rulers to harness and captivated our hearts. join lesser-known names like Doris the face of oppression, armed only their strength and bring The simplicity of her flow- Derby, Yuri Kochiyama and Septima with words, passion and a woman’s a nation to its emotional ing summer dress and her “She’ll put a smile Clarke as women who pioneered the sense of what’s undeniably right? knees. During the Turkish peacefully resistant de- fight for civil rights. riots in 2013, a powerful meanor showed determina- upon your face Susan B. Anthony Warrior Women Through History image emerged of a young tion and strength that has And take you to that was just 17 years They fought alone or alongside woman being pushed back been captured and shared old when she their men for the benefit of their by the blast of pepper spray in that one iconic picture. higher place was named people. They were not afraid to from heavily armed riot And the world will never So don’t you state agent face their foes head on or to use police. Due to the viral pho- forget the sweet, childish for the the tactical skills that their femi- tograph that captured that face of the Afghan teen under estimate American ninity gave them. The archetypical shocking moment, Ceyda who was shot in the head The strength of Anti-Slav- warrior woman has been a compel- Sungur is now known as simply for wanting an ery Society ling feature throughout history, in “The woman in the red education. Malala Yousafzai a woman” in New York. every culture. dress,” a reluctant yet has gone through what few She also ac- Queen Boudicca found herself unforgettable symbol of adults could have endured tively fought thrown into conflict after her hus- the Turkish resistance. and has come out smiling for equal rights band Prasutagus died in 60 AD, More recently, and still wanting to help for women, get- leaving a will that left his kingdom we witnessed other women. This teen, in ting arrested in the in conflict. She suffered flogging, the the slender and her Islamic dress and hijab, process. We’ve heard rape of her daughters, and financial graceful African garners our utmost respect © Rainer Junker the names Harriet ruin before rising to lead the Celtic American and attention in the same Iceni forces in successful revolts “She can female Ieshia way that the female Kurdish against the Roman Empire. Evans, who fighters do. Like Malala, the Grace O’Malley, a Gaelic chief- take you on a high serenely Peshmergas fighting ISIS tain and seafaring leader, dared to Be your comfort faced riot are ordinary young women demand and defend what was hers police with a desire to help pro- in the decidedly man’s world of the when you cry tect other women, report- late 16th century. Like many strong- But if you look edly applying makeup willed women of her time, she was before heading into battle. reviled for promiscuity that would into her eyes If they are going to die, have been overlooked had she been You’ll see the strength they say, they want to die a man. It is not surprising that she looking pretty. reportedly had red hair to suit her of a woman ... fiery Celtic heritage. Strength of a woman” Strength of a Woman: Nanny of the Maroons or “Queen Continued on page 41 Nanny” — Jamaica’s sole national heroine — was a fierce leader and master of guerilla warfare against the British Redcoats and was successful in her fight to keep her people, Afri- cans who had escaped slavery on the island, from a return to oppression. These historical women embody a certain warrior archetype and, while their stories may be vastly different, there is a familiar thread running through each of protecting one’s own and standing for what’s right. ©Digital Vision

16 LIV FUN / WINTER 2016 WINTER 2016 / LIV FUN 17 Entertain Your Brain: Continued from page 9 Strength of a Woman: Continued from page 17 Early Summer (1951) Everyday Women With ily who disciplined with a stare or a Read More: Uncommon Strength gentle voice — that define a woman’s Davis-Kimball, Jeannine, Ph.D. The Japanese master Yasujiro Ozu made films in which wisdom seems to slowly emerge from Style is unquestionably more than style and strength. In my own life, (2003). Warrior Women: An Archaeolo- experience, tradition, and sometimes the landscape itself. In this quietly wonderful 1951 film, Ozu clothing and physical attributes; it is a these women were small in stature gist’s Search for history’s Hidden Heroines. Warner Books. turns his attention to Noriko (Setsuko Hara, a Japanese star who died in 2015), a Tokyo secretary presence, an essence of who you are yet the sheer force of their will made who lives with her extended family. At 28, she is already considered old for an unmarried woman. as a woman. Readily coming to mind them seem as giants. I can remember Fraser, Antonia. (2014). Warrior Queens. Her boss suggests she pair off with a successful older colleague, and the family approves of the are the elegant Princess Grace of being quieted simply by the silent Random House. idea — but we notice how well she gets along with a family friend, a widower. Adding a touch of Monaco, the beautiful Queen Noor of stare of my mom. No words were Olson, Lynne. (2002). Freedom’s Daugh- melancholy: The widower knew her late brother, who died in the war. It’s not Noriko’s place to Jordan, the lovely and loving Princess needed to get us to toe the line. ters: The Unsung Heroines of the Civil be assertive about this attraction, but she finds ways to modestly bring about the result she wants. Diana, and the fierce and noble Grace Was it their style that gave them Rights Movement From 1830 to 1970. Ozu plays this unsentimentally but with great feeling, finding time to cast a knowing eye at the Jones. They have a confidence that this authority? Or did their authority Scribner. community that surrounds his determined heroine. Noriko already seems prematurely wise; it’s commands, “Look at me and see my — hard earned from life’s lessons — Shaggy. (2002). “Strength of a Woman” everybody else who needs to get up to speed. (DVD available on Amazon; streaming available on truth.” give them their style? on Lucky Dad album. MCA Records. MUBI and Hulu) For many of us, it’s the images of When a woman stands in her Yee, Shirley J. (1992). Black Women our mothers and grandmothers — strength, the two are inseparably Abolitionists: Study In Activism, 1828-1860. MUSIC REVIEWS those strong, solid pillars of the fam- intertwined. u University of Tennessee Press. by Joe Rodriguez / Freelance music writer “One good thing about music; when it hits you, you feel no pain.” — Bob Marley For Them to Know: Continued from page 30 You Learn (Single) — Alanis Morissette, Jagged Little Pill, 1995 Others feel compelled to share their together because we were separated. When How to Write Your Own feelings at moments of great signifi- you were very little, I left little notes in your After years of being a child star for Nickelodeon’s You Can’t Do That on Television and becoming an cance in their lives. Then-President- lunchboxes, randomly, so you’d be surprised, Ethical Will award-winning pop diva in her native Canada, 19-year-old Alanis Morissette packed up and moved elect Barack Obama did when he was and subtle, so you wouldn’t be embarrassed to Los Angeles to reinvent herself. With the help of music producer and songwriter Glen Ballard, Inspired to try your hand at leaving about to be inaugurated: if a friend copped a view of our little secret. Morissette cleansed herself of her sugary pop star tendencies and became rock’s next big thing with your thoughts for your loved ones? As I write this now, I am wondering if you her brooding, cynical, reflective lyrics and octave-skipping caterwauling vocals. “You Learn” was Here are some resources to help you “These are the things I want for you — remember any of this …” the first song she wrote for her multiple-Grammy-winning album Jagged Little Pill. The song starts along the way. to grow up in a world with no limits on with a simple hip-hop bass line and an electric acoustic guitar that lead into Morissette’s breathy your dreams and no achievements beyond I give myself permission to mess up. To access (free) Stanford University Life vocals. She wistfully recommends that living, loving, crying and losing are all part of learning. With your reach, and to grow into compassionate, I tell myself I can keep revising this as Review letter templates, go to each life experience big or small, we are gaining the wisdom and knowledge that enrich our lives. committed women who will help build that time goes on. I write, cross out, get tear- http://tinyurl.com/wise-stanford. And she does it with a poignancy that is unforgettable. world. And I want every child to have the ful, laugh a little and write some more. Read President Obama’s entire legacy same chances to learn and dream and grow The important thing is that I begin. letter to his daughters on the occasion and thrive that you girls have. That’s why I’ve I’m not done writing my letter — it’s Wisdom of Time (Single) — The Supremes, Floy Joy, 1972 of moving the family into the White taken our family on this great adventure.” a work in progress, and I’ve only just House in The Huffington Post at The summer of 1972 was one of transition and difficulty in the world: The Watergate drama was finished the introduction! I’m realizing http://tinyurl.com/wise-legacy. unfolding, the Vietnam War was escalating, and the world was rocked by the tragedy at the Munich I’ve recently decided to begin writ- just how much of a challenge this is, so Games. It also ended a time of stagnation for The Supremes post-Diana Ross. “Wisdom of Time” ing to my sons, and I confess — this is I’m going to take my time. I’ll print it If you prefer to be interviewed and re- is a hidden gem tucked away at the end of the erratic and uneven album Floy Joy. A shimmering hard work. I stared at the blank pages out every now and then (just in case I corded, you can find a comprehensive spacey guitar and piano intro builds into a funky bass and drum line that lead into the angelic vo- for a long time, searching for the right don’t get to finish it, my boys will find list of Life Interview questions at cal duet of the Supremes’ Cindy Birdsong and Jean Terrells. The main message of the song is of place to start. it in my final papers) and go back to http://tinyurl.com/wise-interviews. growth, change and hope that with time we can learn to heal and solve any of the issues the world it when I’m feeling inspired. I’m not Sources: can throw at us. It’s just as relevant today to remind us all not to give into division and close-mind- “I’ve written you many letters since each of worried about the length; I just want it Zaiman, Elana, Rabbi. (2013). “The edness, but instead stand together with open minds. you were born, usually on your birthdays and to feel right — to somehow speak for Lasting Gift,” LIV FUN, Winter 2013, pp. often when you or I were leaving for a period me when I’m gone. Even though it’s 12-15. of time. One of my favorite things to do was not always comfortable — I sometimes Least Complicated (Single) — Indigo Girls, Swamp Ophelia, 1994 give you a parting envelope with a letter, for the get emotional writing like this — I’m Excerpts used in the examples in this plane, for the bunk on the first night of camp, going to keep at it. This opportunity is story are from sample letters published Why were things so much easier when we were young? On the Indigo Girls’ fifth album, the folk for the occasion we wouldn’t be celebrating too important to let it slip by. u in www.life-legacies.com. rock duo takes a more reflective approach to song writing and become more personal with their lyrics. A great example of this new approach is the song “Least Complicated.” Beginning with a somber jangly guitar, singer Emily Saliers reflects on the scene below her second-story window as the kids walk by and reminisces on a time when everything was simpler and problems were easier to solve. The song asks why we make life so much more complex than it should be as we grow older, noting, “The hardest to learn was the least complicated.” Perhaps if we apply the simple “ True love stories never have endings.” wisdom we had as children to our “complicated” adult problems, we’d find a way to return to more simple pleasures. u — Richard Bach

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