Blog 2951 – 11.28.2023

1854 Meet Kirsten – Chapter 2

That fact that we refer to the often skewed recording of past events as “his story” reveals a decided bent in the telling of stories almost exclusively from the male perspective. Often untold or drastically diminished is the role women and girls have played in our past and present. I can only hope that will change in the future.

In the most recent episode of HBO’s period drama The Gilded Age, the son of a rich trustee on the Brooklyn Bridge project is assigned by his father to investigate why the chief engineer is dodging his request for face to face reports on the progress of the bridge construction. The young man soon discovers that the chief engineer has been ill and incapacitated for some time and that his wife is really responsible for the design and direction of the project.

The young man, a trained engineer himself, tells her that the bridge is perhaps the greatest mechanical design achievement of their day and it is a shame that no one will know who really designed and supervised its construction. The ole saw, “Behind every great man is a woman.” Should more appropriately be put “Out front, leading and inspiring every step of the way is woman.”

I and all men with any sense salute you and hope the goals of the Equal Right Amendment will be extended to all women. I am thinking of my granddaughter Emma, as sweet as can be and already exhibiting signs of a strong independent spirit. We have long heard talk of the year of the woman. May this be their century. That I believe is the best hope for this planet and all its inhabitants.

Your friend and fellow traveler,

David White

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rX_3wZ1dTTICJNu–o56yP8uGpHGgrao/view?usp=drivesdk

1854 Meet Kirsten – Chapter 2