,,,This article was originally written for and published in “Ag Week”.
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As I sit on an airplane this morning, staring down the wing of a Boeing 757, I’m struck by the thought that someone, at some point had the idea that we could fly. The Wright brothers, as we all know did it successfully. And I’m thankful they did.
Their try and ingenuity gives me hope for the human spirit. I think humans as a rule, when left to freely explore their options and imagination are resilient. And, when left to our own devices we typically do good things, not just for ourselves, but for mankind in general, as evidenced by airplanes, for one.
Ranching and farming are also good examples of ingenuity, and the human spirit at work. Yesterday, we set up an automatic feeder for an older horse who can no longer get his nutrients from hay. The company provided some parts for set up, but they didn’t work with our facility, so the first words out of my cowboy’s mouth were, “this is getting ranch rigged from the start, dear.” Frankly, I expected nothing less. An automatic feeder. Let me repeat, it’s automatic: this thing has a timer and weighs the feed it tosses out at the intervals we set! Ingenuity at its’ finest. And the business? It’s run by a woman.
In ag, at least in so far as ranching is concerned, I’m fairly certain that women don’t feel like second class citizens. In fact, before I ever got to the ranch, I didn’t feel like a second class citizen. I never have. I figured I could do anything I wanted in life. If anything, ranching has proved that idea to me and has further encouraged me to become even more resilient and use my ingenuity from time to time. Am I thankful to the women that came before me that worked to get us the rights to become citizens, voting privileges, and the right to own land, to name a few? Absolutely. Am I grateful for their sacrifices and fights so that we, as women, can do whatever we choose? Absolutely.
Maybe that is why I have a hard time relating to the women we saw marching the day after we inaugurated our 45th President. Women who ranch or farm are in what most would consider a man’s world, but we don’t feel like that. We feel free to make our own choices, make our own path, be who we want, and pursue careers outside of ag if we choose.
I can’t speak for the rest of the women reading this, but I don’t appreciate being put down by other women because I don’t agree with their ideals – or, more specifically, couldn’t get on board for the march. I’m still not exactly sure what they were marching for, but I’m grateful they’re free to do it! We don’t have to agree to be friends, or even to get along. Frankly, if we’d all take the time to be nice to one another instead of tear down and hurl insults at those who disagree with us, especially women to other women, the world would be a better place.
We, the free, strong, independent, and resourceful men and women of America, could use our imagination and ingenuity to find common ground, to work on projects to better the lives of those around us, and work together like we do on ranches and farms across America. We might just come up with something even better than flight.
“In fact, before I ever got to the ranch, I didn’t feel like a second class citizen. I never have.” Finally another woman who feels the way I do!! I’m in a women’s lunch group and I feel like I’m the only one who feels this way– I’ve never used being female as an excuse. I use it as a driving momentum– I’ll show them!! 🙂
Yay! Thanks for reading! Us like minded gals gotta stick together!