I’d like to share some details of a project I keep coming back to. In February of 2018, I was struggling to write a piece about what borders and boundaries mean to me. I came to the conclusion that for myself borders and boundaries represent my life as a woman.
My first hurdle was how I could write a story about a woman who defies traditional gender roles in the face of great resistance. I discussed this with my mother to whom the answer was obvious, look back in time at those who did just that.
One cold winter day I packed up my notebook, sat down with a woman I admire and we began. I was interviewing her to determine the chronology of her life events, thinking I already knew her story and had to fill in the blanks. I was in for quite a surprise.
She led me through the ups and downs, pitfalls and triumphs that faced a woman born in the 1930s. She told me about the women who helped her keep herself on the path to becoming an educated woman and work outside the home despite social resistance.
I came home from her house invigorated, and with a sense of duty to tell her story. I began thinking about how many other women I know who overcame similar obstacles. The story began to grow.
My interest in telling these stories was expanding and before I even finished the first I was filled with purpose. A peace settled over me as the story emerged. Every woman has found their way, big or small, to overcome the borders and boundaries that bind her. I want to tell those stories and show women who haven’t had their moment yet that it is coming.
I’ve been met with interest, curiosity, and (in the face of a microphone) fear. Many women I speak to tell me they don’t think they have anything of interest to tell me; that I’d be wasting my time. I could see myself saying the same, but that’s the beauty of sharing your story with someone from a different generation and perspective. Choices you may think were uninspired could very well be extraordinary and motivational to someone else.
Women are taught to fade into the shadows. I will continue this project as long as there is someone who wants to share. It brings me so much joy to shine a light on the strength and character of those who dismiss themselves because of the world we live in.
My goal isn’t to tell other people’s stories for them, but to highlight the strengths of being a woman who perseveres. Many people I’ve spoken to on this subject can not identify one instance in which they would describe themselves as that type of woman. It brings me so much happiness to show them their accomplishments through new eyes.
My motivation for this project is very personal. I have one living grandparent, and the rest died before I had the chance to have an adult relationship with them. I think of all the things I’ll never know about them and it makes me want to be closer to those who are still in my life. I want to see how life shapes people, and hear their stories before the chance to know them is gone.
I’m still looking for interested women to interview. I would like to interview the participant through a conversation about their own lives and experiences that they feel they want to share. I haven’t done this before, but I’m learning as I go, and it feels important so I’m going to lead with my heart on this one.
I don’t have a plan to publish anything at this point, and any publication would be with consent after review of the final product. I don’t have a date of completion in mind, but a journey of mutual self-discovery for myself and my interviewees is the goal. If you are someone you know is interested in contributing to this series you can reach me by email, my facebook page or in the comments.
