Committed

As some of you know, I participate in several student and professional women mentoring groups.. And, I hear it all the time from women working outside the home… “They said they questioned my commitment”!  I hear it from business women, in the news… It’s pervasive!

What does that mean? The worst thing is, is that this “question” comes from female and male colleagues! They don’t question your commitment, they question your ability. Let’s just be honest and call a spade a spade, ladies. 

They question is- can you get up all night and feed your infant, nurse at 5 am, dress at 6, prep the lunch boxes at 615 and be at work on time… Ready to go. Work through your lunch to complete all tasks by end of day , pump milk at each mini- break- using the “hands free” function so you can continue typing, and leave on time to pick up kids, relieve the babysitter, cook dinner, clean up your home, get kids to evening activities, get kids to bed, finish work, nurse baby… Over and over again.. Day after day. 

Well, Medela has likely made a fortune on the abilities of women and let’s just say it… 

What separates us from MEN, much like thumbs separate humans from the other primates, is our ability to Create life… Oh… And then feed that life directly from our bodies warding off each and every  infection. Pretty cool. 

That’s right. I don’t have too much more to say. Obviously, you can. Some women choose to devote these efforts 100% to their  children.. Yes.. These are the women who go to the classroom and read to everyone’s children, organize volunteers, classroom supplies, and send you pictures of classroom events when you can’t make it. Thank you! For those of us who have to work to feed our families, or choose to work, or love to work outside the home.. Thank you!  I don’t question the commitment of a woman or a mom. I stand in awe of our resilency, our patience, our tolerance, our efficiency, our selflessness… Our commitment. 

Like Beyoncé says.. “Have the baby and get back to business”. You do it. I do it. Across the entire world, women do it. And we do it under all kinds of circumstances. 

After all… Girls rule the world.

Committed.