International Women’s Day
Cover Photo: New Kingdom statue of Sekhmet, goddess of war and healing, Cairo Airport Museum - DA Donnelly, 2023
Patsy Mae Donnelly (1963), photo by CO Donnelly
On looking back on women who have impacted my life, obviously my mother, Patsy, had the biggest impact. We are very different people, but she has a quiet strength that I like to think I inherited, although, some may argue my strength isn’t always quiet.
I remember as a youth looking up to independent women like Jane Goodall, and Dian Fossey. Their lives seemed adventurous and important. They are part of the reason my life has been so full of wonderful challenges.
Most of my life’s work I’ve been surrounded by men. I recall being extremely disgusted in my early career when I found out that men working at a lower level than me, with less experience and education, were making more money than me, just because they were men. I cringe as I look back at the times my opinions were dismissed because I was judged by my looks, and not by my knowledge. Or when I was told (in the Navy) to cut my hair, and act and dress like a man if I wanted to fit in.
Despite this I have always strived to maintain my dignity, and prove my worth and my ability AS A WOMAN. I now find in the later part of my career that I am surrounded by capable, young women (the next generation). I see their attitudes and expectations and am pleased they won’t have to go through what I have. I hope they never forget all the women who came before, who have fought, and continue to fight, for their rights.
