As a regular feature on my blog, I plan on including celebrations of the Spirit of women, accounts of women's lives and experiences, as they have often served as an inspiration in my own life. One of the reasons I became interested in women's stories is that they provide an alternate viewpoint to androcentric versions of history. I have often found that while history focuses on kings and politicians, wars, and the evil that men have wrought in the world, women's herstory focuses on the experiences and everyday lives of women who have had to survive in a world controlled by men. I thought it fitting that the first account should be that of my Mom, who inspired my initial interest in women's issues.
Anne Marie was the youngest of seven children, all of whom my grandmother delivered at home, on her own. Life was not easy for a poor immigrant family in an isolated prairie hamlet; I recall many stories of my grandfather shooting rabbits so the family would have some meat. I suspect, however, that the hardships of everyday life made for people of much firmer resolve than we see today.
While she was still a child, my Mom's family moved to a larger center, where opportunities were somewhat brighter. Following high school, my Mom worked various jobs; married at a young age, she ventured out on her own to Toronto to escape a controlling husband. There she met my father, with whom she had two boys to chase after.
In the early 1970s, my family moved back to the prairies, where my father was anxious to start his own small business. Over the course of several years, both my mother and father worked side by side. During this time I was continually amazed by everything my Mom managed to do in a single day: putting in a full day at the business, then going home to make dinner, do laundry and housework, and look after two rambunctious little boys, while my father spent much of his time at leisure. I think it was at this time that an interest in women's and feminist issues began stirring in me, as it began to seem to me that women carry a much greater workload in this world then do men.
Following my father's death, my Mom continued to manage the family business on her own. Eventually, however, changes in the market and government regulations led to increased competition from larger companies and the business was no longer viable. It was during this time that my Mom would meet my stepfather, who I believe gave my Mom the best years of her life. Their time together was spent traveling and camping, going for coffee, and playing with grandchildren.
Following my stepfather's death, and with her own health declining, my Mom spent her final two years in a nursing home, in and out of hospital with a series of small strokes. On my many visits, we spent our time at our two favorite activites, shopping and fine dining. She passed away suddenly while getting ready for breakfast one morning.
One may say that my Mom's life was not quite so exciting in comparison to some of the women whose Spirits I will celebrate in future posts; she didn't build and fly airplanes, as my did the woman in my next Spirit of Women post, make movies, or sail pirate ships. Throughout her life, my Mom worked hard at taking care of her family, always maintaining a quiescent dignity and grace even though doing so caused her much heartache at times; I suspect the same may be said for many women.
