Why Aren’t Women Standing Together?
By Linda Jacobson Franklin
Hillary Clinton asked this question a few weeks ago at Howard University - “why aren’t women standing together to fight the medical and social injustices in this country?” That question came about from her earlier statement. “If HIV/AIDS were the leading cause of death of white women between the ages of 25 and 34, there would be an outraged cry in this country.”
I’m not sure I agree with that statement. Women, whether they are Black, White, Hispanic or Asian, do not come together. The question Senator Clinton needs to be asking is “why aren’t all women standing together to fight the medical and social injustices in this country”?
It seems to me women are just not there to support each other. We need to learn to be a cohesive group, not held back by religion, color, or economic status. We need to stand together so we have a strong voice that is heard. If we stand together, we will have the collective power to make a difference in this country.
I am one of 40 million plus boomer women in the U.S. The spotlight is on us because we have the buying power to be noticed. It is our responsibility to be a strong role model, for our friends, family and community. We have to stand up for what we believe. Our actions have to be louder than our words, and we have to protect our health at all costs. When we don’t stand up for ourselves, when we don’t have a voice, we become the victims. Victims have no power and victims don’t make change happen.
Women do have a strong voice, but nobody is hearing it. That voice is silenced. It’s stifled by fear. Too many times it becomes only an internal dialog. We are afraid to speak out for the wrong reasons. What will other people think of me if I say what I really believe? Will my husband or boyfriend walk away if I tell them what I truly want? Will my children stop loving me, if I set boundaries for them? Questions that never get answered because they never get voiced.
All I want is for women to ask themselves, what does silence create? First look at your personal challenges and then take it one step further. It helps create a world of escalating violence, degradation of women, a population of unhealthy people and discrimination - both racial and gender. A strong voice is needed to make all these wrongs right again.
Our world needs strong women. Women who are not afraid to be women. So let’s stand together and when we see something that is very wrong, stand together to make it right.
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Linda Franklin created High-Yield Living to help baby boomers deal with life after 50. Her blog Boomers Making A Difference covers health, beauty, relationships, finance and spirituality. These are the the toughest challengers boomers are facing today. Linda’s believes “aging is inevitable - how we age is always our choice”. Before starting High-Yield Living Linda was the first Canadian women to own her seat on the New York Stock Exchange. She was a partner in a Wall Street investment firm for over 20 years. Linda’s own journey into life over 50 was the catalyst for the creation of High-Yield Living - Changing How We’re Aging. She did intense research for almost 10 years in preparation for this new chapter in her life. |
