The Bombshell

I grew up in a tiny, ultra-conservative town in Southern Idaho. How I, having liberal, black sheep parents, ended up there is still a mystery to me. Anyhow, that is where I grew up and I cannot change that. In some ways, I am very thankful because I was never left to myself to believe what I wanted to believe. No, I was constantly challenged by my fellow members of the community. I remember feeling uncomfortable with the way things were most of the time. I was always a little miffed about something or another, which isn't probably the best way to go about middle and high school, but at least I cared about something. So what exactly is the point of my sharing this? Well, I had a particular experience that sparked a fascination with feminism and womanhood. When I was around the age of fourteen, I was at a church activity and one of my leaders nonchalantly stated that she didn't think women should have the right to vote. I waited for her to correct herself or reveal her statement to be part of some (tasteless) joke. She then continued, saying something to the effect of: "men vote with their heads. Women vote with their hearts. They have no place making political decisions." I didn't say anything, but I was seething internally. She was the mother of a male classmate who'd bullied me for several years, she was a member of school board, and she was responsible for this church group consisting of 12-16 year-old GIRLS. I was shocked that someone with so much influence in the community would have the nerve to tell girls that they can't think. I didn't have the eloquence or confidence to address what came out of this woman's mouth, so I just let my frustration fester and tried to suppress my tears. I realize that this did occur in a very small town and that isn't probably a common attitude expressed in the more civilized regions of the United States, but it certainly fueled my fire. If I wasn't opinionated and constantly angry before that incident, I certainly was after. I was an intelligent, independent, motivated woman (girl) and nobody was going to tell me what I should and shouldn't do. Since then, I've learned so much and refined my stance. I feel like I could hold my own should that ever happen again, though I intend to avoid such small towns with outdated attitudes from now on.