The Winter Olympic Games have concluded and athletes from across the globe have returned to their homes.
Some with new hardware.
Some without.
All having tried their best!
In the last two Olympic games we saw two GOATs (Greatest Of All Time for you non-sports enthusiasts): Simone Biles and Mikaela Shiffrin fall short of the public expectation for them as American athletes.
Both dealing with different demons.
Both competing during a global pandemic.
In Mikaela's case, she is known as one of the most decorated American skiers in history. As a very versatile skier, she has the ability to ski in multiple events. At past Olympics, even after medaling, she withdrew from events and didn't ski them all. This Olympics, even after crashing twice, once in her favorite event and once in her best event, she just kept returning to the top of the mountain to try again. Each time without medaling as an individual competitor.
Try she did!
She even received encouragement from Simone on social media. Simone's a class act.
In a recent interview Mikaela shared why she kept going. She said she wanted others to know, particularly young people, that one moment doesn't define you. You have to keep getting back up. You can't let the haters keep you down.
As we approach Women's History Month, I thought about all the women who have been getting back up for thousands of years.
Trying to break glass ceilings.
Trying to be heard.
Trying to be seen.
Trying to be valued.
Trying. Trying for this country and the world to see women as equal to men.
Unfortunately, what sometimes happens, is women don't have the same margin for error as men.
Women are expected to be capable and strong. But not too capable or too strong because then they will be seen as aggressive and overbearing. Perhaps even threatening. Men with these same qualities are looked upon as assertive and as leaders.
As women, we need to try and be liked.
However, if women are liked too much or more than men, they are often penalized for that. That's called a likeability penalty. They pay a price. Women who seem too likable are not taken as seriously or are seen as weak. While a man is seen as someone to have a beer with and someone who is fun to be around.
What if women tried to be their complete selves?
In. Their. Entirety.
Scars and all. Strengths and all. What then?
Would they be accepted? I would hope so, but research shows it's tougher to rebound as a woman. As humans, we are all imperfect. Women often pay a higher price for their humanity.
Professionally, many have witnessed how one moment may define a woman in the eyes of her colleagues. With no way to recover, no way to try again. Just a label some arbitrary person smacks on her. This label may not match all the pieces of her as a complete person.
The name of this blog is Still Learning. I took it from a quote I've had on my desk for my entire teaching career, and it still sits on my desk today.
"I am still learning," Michelangelo.
Whether this quote is actually attributed to him is up for debate. I love the quote, because it is a reminder that we are all still striving and reaching (even Michelangelo!).
This Women's History Month I am going to reflect upon all the women who keep on keepin' on.
Trying to pass the Equal Rights Amendment and the Violence Against Women Act.
Trying to achieve equal pay for equal work.
Trying to remain in control of their health and their bodies.
There is a certain triumph in always trying. Here's to all the women who refuse to give up!
