Maize - I almost never read all the really long posts. I have some sort of undiagnosed ADHD I’m sure. But I loved yours! It’s so interesting to me how differently people were raised. I’ve read quite a bit on this website from women whose mothers really “instructed” them. Or grandmothers or fathers. I literally had no instruction of any kind. I was kind of raised like a weed. throw it out there and let it grow wild. I also liked how you associated sexuality with awareness. I’d have to agree. Somewhere along the line desire and response to men was also something that initiated me into womanhood.

Being a woman? Being a SUPER woman? Honestly, I have never put a date onto that knowledge — but looking back, perhaps I came into my own about 35 — and never looked back. A door seemed to open - wider with the years. . and the yellow brick road never looked better. Perhaps it was smart gorgeous aunt who was my mentor - though the word wasn’t used at the time. But she made me believe that the sky was the limit — and guess what? She said all it took was solid belief in yourself and your capabilities. THAT part didn’t happen overnight. Something that good never does as you must test the waters, make a few mistakes, but never never look back. Confidence builds, people notice. You begin to glow and I have found it is a beacon for others - men and women. A word of caution: you have to be able to hold your own in your field, in conversation, and yet be one of the guys - or gals. In other words, nice and upbeat, complimentary when it is needed, caring when the bad happens. Would I rather be a man? Are you kidding? I don’t think of them as competition in my walk of life, but I DO like being a woman men seem to like to gravitate to. That is the part of the fun of being a woman - this woman anyhow - and frankly, though I never pinned it down til today, I think it is the “glow” — oh, and some substance that is a bit more than being conversational in a general sense - if needed. So far so good — and I wouldn’t miss a moment of it — even IF was “every woman” for a fair number of years before my aunt gave me the key to a good life! It was worth the wait.

As a young girl growing up in TX, I was reminded several times to be “lady like” or remember to “act like a lady”. I wasn’t totally sure what that meant. In those days, kids were supposed to comprehend through osmosis; so….I did what every child does naturally…I copied my mother, my aunt and my grandmother. I was extremely fortunate, because they loved their roles. I saw that each of them were creators. They created the atmosphere of the home. Even when I would rather have a 15 cent hamburger, I realized that the meals prepared for dinner and the conversation at the table were symbols of the love and nurturing we all received through their presence. As a young adult in my role as a new teacher, one of the administrators told me that I was a “Real Lady”. Whoa! There was a real pride in seeing that my spirit had naturally transformed into becoming a woman/lady. I could still be me and keep my playful spirit, while letting my feminine nature come out naturally. I didn’t have to cognitively think about what a lady needed to be. There was no performance required. I had the spirit of a lady, one who wants to create a loving warm atmosphere, for every life that I touch. That’s when it dawned on me that I had this tremendous gift in being given the opportunity to live this life, as a woman. One of my male friends says, “I love being around that delicious feminine energy”. I take that as a compliment for myself and all my sisters on the planet. Mary Ann Lowry www.createanewseason.com

The first time I realized that I actually counted, I mean that it finally hit me that I was put on this earth for a reason was the moment I looked into my son’s eyes. I cannot explain the depth of love I felt the instant I saw him. I now have two sons’ that I would give my life for in an instant. Being a woman is a gift from God.

I knew I was a woman and probably had a lot more power than I had recognized when I began hearing my words coming out of some else’s mouth. While parenthood and wifedom were powerful in their own right, the fact that people listed when I talked was a wake up call for me. I became careful of what I said and knew that leading people was not a matter of sex but of attitude.

I was born 2nd of 7 children: 3 girls, & 4 boys. One of my early memories is of becoming a nurse; in 1951 a nurse was a woman. It was what I wanted to do with my life more than anything else. I was 2 years old, but being a female, a girl, and a woman is me it is what and who I am… in light of the pressure I feel I have begun to reevaluate my thinking. In today’s world women are to live up to their potential. Women have “come along way…” but if you can’t be who you feel you want to be are you letting all female kind down, shouldn’t I strive to do and be more. Well I have felt like a woman for 55 years and am very happy NOT to be a man.

Well, means I am not a man and get to adore bling:) .. when did I first know it .. never thought differently .. I was a ‘girl’ .. the ‘boys’ seemed to like me .. I am GLAD I am a girl … oops .. a woman? .. older woman:( .. where did the time fly? .. BUT as I age .. even the ‘men’ I did not think were good looking .. seem to be good looking now .. how did that happen? ..

What does being a woman mean to me? Being subjugated. My father’s teaching on the subject was perfectly clear: women exist to serve men. My ex-husband probably had good instincts, but my father and his father shaped his behavior. More than that, *I* shaped his behavior. I held the pedestal steady, and he climbed on. I’ve always known I didn’t want to have kids, because I couldn’t risk raising them the way I’d been raised. None of the traditional womanly landmarks were big deals for me. I shook off most of the subjugation in my mid-twenties, and now, in my sixties, there are still shreds of it. Being a woman isn’t a big deal for me, except for the times I’ve been proud to be wanted for what men want women for. Sex and support. It’s had advantages, though. I might not have had the opportunity to love some particular men if I’d had a different body. (Some, I’d have had the opportunity to love more completely.) Still deciding whether there’s a female spirit.

Being a woman? I do not define myself by my gender but as a human being and my humanity.

I have always loved being a woman. I didn’t mind my period. I didn’t mind childbirth….in fact felt blessed to be able to have children. (Even tho my oldest isn’t speaking to me right now) Men have always treated me wonderful. (Even tho I had a louse for a first husband) Just this week a man pulled his car over and got out to help me with my granddaughters stroller that I could not get up an imbankment. I thought that was very nice…it was a horribly busy intersection!! Men love and need women..I think more than we need them.

I would like to suggest a topic for discussion. Clothes. Most of the clothes I see today look ugly. Like they were designed in the Third World by untrained amateurs. Ethnic without imagination. Friends of mine have also deplored the poor selection available in stores. Sure, they’re comfortable but not very flattering. When I watch old movies on the Turner Classics Channel, I am blown away by the incredible talent, attention to detail, and unrestrained femininity that clothes designers brought to their craft. Wouldn’t it be nice to look gorgeous again?

Being a woman to me means: moving through one’s life; married or unmarried, with or without children, beautiful or plain - but always cultivating and rejoicing in the gifts that a come natural to our sex.