When I wrote my memoir RUINED, I chose to not disguise the identity of my college. I was curious as to how the Calvin College community would react. As a young woman (in 1983) I had intentionally stepped out of the world of the Christian Reformed Church and entered a different one. My new tent was … [Read more...] about Re-engaging the World that Shaped Me
Lean In? Thoughts on Partnership from Sheryl Sandberg’s book
There's a lot of talk in my circles about Sheryl Sandberg's new book, "Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead." If you missed the chatter: Sheryl Sandberg is a success: Harvard degrees and a career climb that included positions in the World Bank and Google, before landing her as the COO of … [Read more...] about Lean In? Thoughts on Partnership from Sheryl Sandberg’s book
Save Whose Tatas? The Sexualization of Breast Cancer
I had a hilarious conversation with my young adult daughters about the Save the Tatas campaign that swamps college campuses every year. They were weary of pink ribbons. "I'm tired of T-shirts that say Save the Tatas in pink, as if wearing them helps women with cancer." "I'm tired of pink foam … [Read more...] about Save Whose Tatas? The Sexualization of Breast Cancer
Dawntreader Retreaded, gender roles in the movie
Growing up, I adored the Narnia series. I devoured the books, imagining myself to be a composite of Edmund and Lucy -- with their adventurousness, courage, and ability to converse with animals and fauns. The talking mouse, Reepicheep, was one of my favorite characters, so I was eager to see the … [Read more...] about Dawntreader Retreaded, gender roles in the movie
Unintended Consequences
Does this ever happen to you? You take two things you know to be true from different arenas in your life, add one obvious comment, re-combine said facts, and the result is a new reality that feels explosive, but also glaringly obvious. Here's one from the other day: Since it used to be that there … [Read more...] about Unintended Consequences
Size Matters: Women Are Smaller Than Men
At CREDO we did a "lifeline exercise" which was to help us summarize our life story so that we could share it with a few other people. As I reviewed the pivotal events of my life, it struck me that each of them was influenced mightily by my physicality. In other words, if you were to change who I am … [Read more...] about Size Matters: Women Are Smaller Than Men