Human beings working together

By Georgie Bright Kunkel

What is a hero? I decided to look it up in my dictionary, copyright 1975. The following definition was stated: A hero is a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.

Evidently lexicographers, even three years after the state of Washington passed its own equal rights amendment, were still using sexist definitions. Even the alumni (Latin male plural) associations connected with prestigious universities and members of Congress will not shed sexist titles. Since men have dominated the world for so long it is difficult for them to let go of their male titles. They are proud to be male which has so many centuries been associated with power and prominence.

According to the book Eve's Seed by Robert S. McElvaine, ancient women were thought to have mystical powers because they could bear children. Men, because they may have envied women this power, sought to achieve in other ways - going into battle or building empires. When men first learned that they contributed the sperm that women needed to bear children, they began to cloister their wives to assure that no other man's seed interfered with their bloodline. Men built a powerful patriarchy over the centuries, wiping out women saints and seers from the historical record.

I once gave a workshop for a teen girls' leadership program. When I asked the girls to name some outstanding women of our time, most of those named were rock or movie stars. Oh, there was one who mentioned Eleanor Roosevelt. It was then that I began to prepare a list of outstanding women so that when I gave future programs for young girls I could pass out this list of heroes, if you will, and suggest that the girls research their accomplishments.

So what about women heroes? At least two come to mind. Florence Nightingale nursed wounded soldiers at a time when they were left on the battlefield to die. Joan of Arc was captured in battle after becoming a war hero for France and was burned at the stake by the English for practicing witchcraft. Earlier the Catholic Church had declared her a heretic but after her death decided to make her a saint. All the decisions concerning Joan of Arc were made by men who held power over the church and the government.

It is now time to recognize the strength and intellect of women and utilize the intellect and strength of all human beings working together so that we can finally achieve the peaceful society that we keep talking about.

Georgie Bright Kunkel is a freelance writer who can be reached at gnkunkel@comcast.net or 206-935-8663.