International Women’s Day

I did not participate in the Women's March earlier this year.  I'm not even sure Fort Wayne had a March. I would have had to take off work to travel to Chicago, or perhaps Indy. Although, I can't say I would have taken off work because the photos I saw of the March's around the Country were crazy. I love that all these women came together, but I probably would have had a panic attack.

I don't consider myself a Feminist. Yes, I believe women should have equal pay. Yes, I think women should have a say in their bodies. I just don't have a desire to participate in a March or devote my life to fighting for it.

Yesterday was International Women's Day and "A Day Without a Woman." Here's the notion:

On International Women's Day, March 8th, women and our allies will act together for equity, justice and the human rights of women and all gender-oppressed people, through a one-day demonstration of economic solidarity. 

 In the same spirit of love and liberation that inspired the Women's March, we join together in making March 8th A Day Without a Woman, recognizing the enormous value that women of all backgrounds add to our socio-economic system--while receiving lower wages and experiencing great inequities. We believe in gender justice. 

Like I said before, I'm not a Feminist and perhaps someone could enlighten me on the impact A Day Without a Woman had on our society. From my perspective, I feel like that is the exact opposite of what us women should be doing to make our point. Why not empower women to get an education and teach them to take care of themselves instead of relying a man to do it? Teach women that they can do anything they dream.

I admit I am a bit naive when it comes to equal pay. In my field, I am the majority. You do not find many men that are Paralegals or Legal Assistants. My pay is based on the firm I work for and my experience. Not to mention the city I live in.  Now if I were a lawyer or doctor I would probably run into more equal pay issues. I guess for me, I'm more concerned about the money I am making versus the money someone else is making. If I can take care of myself then why do I care what others are making? I definitely think I am underpaid compared to all of my friends who I graduated with (who are all women). However, I work for one attorney. They work for a firm with several attorneys. I can't compare apples to oranges.

I just don't agree with the message that yesterday could send to my teenage niece or my 11 year old niece.  We don't like how something is being done, so take the day off work. That's not the real world. That's not an effective solution.

I would love to hear from you if you did participate in A Day Without a Woman. What impact do you think it made?