Neighbors in the South Sound sharing their stories.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Women's History Month... Light For The Mind, Warmth For Soul
Wind and snow and rain... all those high experiences of living in the Northwest when I just want to crawl back into bed and drift off into I feel warm and I do not have to get out there where I end up shaking and trying, oh so very hard, to keep my umbrella from being blown out of my freezing right hand.
But I live on the hill at Bellarmine High School, where faculty, staff, family members work very, very hard to support the young women and men who go to school here leave home, come up the hill, and hit those books.
I am so glad I live here because, just like so many other private and public schools here in Pierce County, folks are taking care of business, working hard so that our day to day lives can be healthy and happy.
I got out of that bed and headed for the Orell Library, named after the wonderful man who helped to make sure that the students would have access to a beautiful, comfortable space where they could work together, read and write and begin to appreciate the hopes and hurts of our world.
Let me say this one more time: "I am so pleased that young women and men have so many wonderful books to read than I did. I had a great education but I came up during those beautiful hard years when women and people of color were silent witnesses to our every changing country. So many men and women worked so hard to get us to this point but there would be a few more years that had to pass before their accomplishments, sorrows and joys would be celebrated."
So I am shouting out loud and clear because I want to affirm the existence of our sisters:
who continue to dedicate themselves to loving and serving other human beings in our country
all over the world... truly we are the benefactors of generations of people who cried and prayed and worked their way through life so that you and I can continue to make of this world a good place for all
If you should be able to take the trip from Bellarmine to Seattle's International District tomorrow - I'd be delighted to catch you at my Family Day artist appearance at the WING (Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience) where I'm saluting not only Women but today's little girls who are on their way to becoming the women of tommorrow.
My artist offering for the day attempts to generate some thinking on how we socialize the next generation of females in our culture - asking "What does a day for girl's mean to you?"
We'll look at the long-history behind the former Japanese tradition of "Girl's Day" which dates back over a thousand years and follow how this tradition changed and developed over the years until today when it has taken a back seat (along with "Boy's Day") to something called "Children's Day."
While we here in the United States have never had something quite like "Girl's Day" in Japan, I'm not sure if current society has given as much thought to what specific and intentional messages we are passing along to both girls and boys in our society about what we would like them to reflect upon as desireable qualities when they assume their roles as grown womern and men.
It seems to me that a culture or society that is not paying attention to what outcomes they wish to see, has even less influence much less control over what outcomes they will eventually reap.
While some segments of society are debating beginning and end of life issues - and have no fear of dictating their world view to persons who don't choose to join their social, political and or faith communities, thoughtful discourse in my opinion on what comes inbetween those anchor points especially amongst the greater population of humanity appears not to figure into anyone's bottom line.
The quick answer: A place for neighbors. It’s a place to get up to date on what’s going on around you, to tell a story, to share an idea or a bit of yourself. South Sounders created all the content on this page. Send questions, comments or feedback to matt.misterek@thenewstribune.com.
Our regulars
Stephanie Frieze …has always liked to write. Her experience includes three years at the University Washington School of Communications studying journalism. She had a stint at the Chinook Observer in Long Beach. Raised in Bellevue, she’s lived in Gig Harbor for nearly 18 years. She and her husband have a home in Ilwaco, where they spend as much time as possible. This mother of four loves books, spending time with family and the color purple. Contact her at dbandstefery@comcast.net.
Lorraine Hart …was born a nomadic mutt. She spent her life observing, writing and making music. She’s an unabashed carrier of the titles “hippie,” “feminist” and “liberal.” She’s resided in the South Sound since 1996 and is currently living above Joe’s Bay in Home. She juggles her time between being a caregiver, a writer, an artist, a musician, a minister, a wife, a mother, an advocate, a friend and a pilgrim – not necessarily in that order. Contact her at matlox@cablespeed.com.
Jaynie Jones …is a Tacoma resident with diverse career tracks in broadcasting, journalism, teaching, health care, desktop publishing, floral design, special event planning and photography. She’s best known as long-time KOMO radio personality Jaynie Dillon and was once a familiar voice on Tacoma stations KTAC, KBRD-FM, KTNT and KNBQ-FM. Formerly a resident of Tacoma’s East Side, she’s volunteered in the Eastside Substation and with Safe Streets. Contact her at jaynie.jones@gmail.com .
Tracy Lebenzon ...is a blog contributor from Greenwater. Greenwater is the last stop before Crystal Mountain, Mount Rainier and the surrounding wilderness areas. When not exploring the next mountain peak or forest trail, Tracy also contributes to the Greenwater Community Council and the Explore-Greenwater.com web site. He writes about topics ranging from favorite foot, bike, and snow trails to community events, local merchants and politics. Contact him at dmountains@explore-greenwater.com.
Joseph McGowan …is a chaplain who supports patients, families, friends, nurses and doctors at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Being 67, he’s learned this about living: Meet people on their own ground and you will discover that this Earth is our special place to meet and support each other. His motto: Live now. Share yourself now. Every living thing you experience is a pure gift. Love all life unconditionally. Contact him at mcg9940@yahoo.com.
Mizu Sugimura …is a third-generation Japanese American living in Federal Way. She’s married and a parent of one adult child. A lifelong resident of the Puget Sound area, she graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Washington School of Communications. and served on Federal Way’s Diversity and Art Commissions. Her interests are politics, art, the history of minorities in Washington and family history. She’s written a self-published family history about her paternal grandfather. Contact her at mizusugi@yahoo.com.
Kim Thompson …is a Grit City native who was born and raised in Tacoma’s Old Town neighborhood by the gulch. She boasts that she’s a former Lowell Leopard, Mason Mustang and Wilson Ram, a short-time PLU Lute and a longtime UW Husky. This former corporate businesswoman is a wife, a mom, a school volunteer, a substitute teaching assistant, a writer and a born-again distance runner. She has convinced friends from Bellevue that Tacoma is worth the drive. Contact her at kimricksy@comcast.net.
ugi@yahoo.com.
1 comment:
If you should be able to take the trip from Bellarmine to Seattle's International District tomorrow - I'd be delighted to catch you at my Family Day artist appearance at the WING (Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience) where I'm saluting not only Women but today's little girls who are on their way to becoming the women of tommorrow.
My artist offering for the day attempts to generate some thinking on how we socialize the next generation of females in our culture - asking "What does a day for girl's mean to you?"
We'll look at the long-history behind the former Japanese tradition of "Girl's Day" which dates back over a thousand years and follow how this tradition changed and developed over the years until today when it has taken a back seat (along with "Boy's Day") to something called "Children's Day."
While we here in the United States have never had something quite like "Girl's Day" in Japan, I'm not sure if current society has given as much thought to what specific and intentional messages we are passing along to both girls and boys in our society about what we would like them to reflect upon as desireable qualities when they assume their roles as grown womern and men.
It seems to me that a culture or society that is not paying attention to what outcomes they wish to see, has even less influence much less control over what outcomes they will eventually reap.
While some segments of society are debating beginning and end of life issues - and have no fear of dictating their world view to persons who don't choose to join their social, political and or faith communities, thoughtful discourse in my opinion on what comes inbetween those anchor points especially amongst the greater population of humanity appears not to figure into anyone's bottom line.
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