I don’t know why I thought of this or how they tie together but here goes.
Do you remember the first time you dropped something on the floor and realized if you didn’t pick it up right then, you were just going to have to do it later?
For me that was a long long time ago but something I still think of today as a turning point in my growth to the responsibility of adulthood: Pick up after yourself.
As I bent over to pick up the spilt toothpicks off the floor, I once again was reminded of that thought and the thought of Dolly Parton too. Then Martha Stewart, Gloria Steinem, Hillary Clinton, Anna Wintour, Barbara Walters, Oprah, and Helen Gurley all came into view. All women who led responsible lives. Called witches with a “B,” these pioneering women broke glass ceilings for other women to sneak through. And I did.
Recently, I watched Marth Stewart’s biography on Netflix. Even though she was the first woman billionaire in the WORLD, I still felt sorry for her. I guess because it’s lonely for women at the top. Not so much for men. They always have lots of beautiful young women hanging around.
Dolly will be missed
While conversing with friends in the Dreamland Lounge, someone said, “Dolly will be missed.” Then continued, “They are all growing old and I worry once they are all gone.”
“Who?” I asked.
She said something like this, “The responsible ones. The champions. Our mentors. Who will take their place?” Then my thoughts took a scary turn.
Do you remember the Islamic Revolution? I do.
In my lifetime, Iran, Persia, was a rich, cultural, progressive country known for beautiful women and fine rugs. “Made in Persia” meant good quality. But in 1979 Iran began rolling back women’s rights.
- February 1979: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini assumed power and quickly began dismantling progressive family and legal codes.
- March 1979, just a month later: The new government banned female judges, suspended the Family Protection Act (which had restricted polygamy and given women divorce and custody rights), lowered the legal marriage age for young girls, and mandated compulsory veiling, the hijab.
- March 8, 1979: Tens of thousands of women protested these strict new dress codes and rollbacks in Tehran on International Women’s Day, but their demonstrations were suppressed by the new regime.
Back to last night, as we deliberated on the loss of our icons and the history of women’s everchanging vulnerability, I pondered, “Were we being sentimental or paranoid?” Who will be our mascots going forward, the responsible ones? The ladies who sail close to the wind? The next leaders who will show the new young ladies how it is done?
Even though I am no Swiftie and don’t buy her music, it was Taylor Swift who came to my mind.
Can you think of, or remember, anyone else?
About the Author
Kerry McCoy founded FlagandBanner.com in 1975 with just $400 and a dream, building it from door-to-door flag sales into a multi-million dollar enterprise. With over five decades in the American flag and banner business, her insights into patriotic trends and flag sales patterns come from serving customers nationwide during times of celebration, crisis, and everything in between.
Kerry is also the host of Up in Your Business with Kerry McCoy radio show and continues expanding her business empire through Kerry McCoy Enterprises while sharing the entrepreneurial wisdom gained from decades of building the American dream.
