Women's History Month - A retrospective, prospective perspective of women who shape me

1924
When the only work is packing tomatoes
you put your daughter in a long dress
and pull a hat down over her face
so they can’t tell she’s only eight,
because five cents a pail isn’t much,
but at least they hire Italians.



Pokey and Nat
Natalie wears green every day
and socks only on Sunday.
“Got ta dress for Jesus”, she says,
tossing her head like the women
who argue with their men about other women.

Her arms are exactly the color of pecan shell,
but soft, and ashy at the elbows.
I like the way they tumble in the mirror
when she’s fixing my hair for braids.

“Pokey,” she says, “gonna give you some nice braids today”,
and I think maybe today.
Maybe today,
maybe today,
but I open my eyes to the same scrappy rabbit-hair as always.

The gumball barrettes clacking around her head
are what get me thinking that Natalie is too much for one body.
It’s her crammed in self that comes busting out
all wild like joy in her laugh and her voice
and her eyes that can’t nothin hide from,

and her past is the only thing quiet about her.

Sally Bacchetta 2004

International Women's Day 2005

International Women's Day is March 8th, 2005!

This marks the 94th year that women all over our global community will celebrate the power of women to create change. Women, mobilizing and motivating each other, have accomplished things that none of us could do alone.

When people say that women are competitive, I say that women make me elevate myself to a higher level than I might on my own.

When people say that women are "pleasers", I say that women show me the power of being kind even when I don't feel like it.

To women everywhere: Thank you for sharing your gifts. Thank you for reaching out. Thank you for noticing, for asking, for listening, for doing, for accepting, and for expecting more. I admire your resolve, your insight, and your ability to find a way.

I think Maya Angelou said it best:
"Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't have to shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman.
That's me."

Happy International Women's Day. Thank you for making me who I am!

Sally Bacchetta

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