Letter to Mslexia

Sent the following to Mslexia today.
Dear Mslexia,
Hurray for Leonora Craig Cohen. I am 70 this year. It has taken me a life time of fighting and struggling against the received wisdom of centuries of patriarchy. I was taught that the only way to live was to get a man, play second fiddle to him, support him in everyway and sublimate myself. Everything I read, heard, saw and experienced confirmed this philosophy.
Deep down I felt that this was wrong. The first time that this feeling was validated was when I read The Female Eunuch (50 years ago?). I have managed to cling to my own identity, hopes, aspirations and most of all self-esteem. It wasn’t easy. It still isn’t. In spite of all the strides towards equality we have made the struggle is by far from over because we still live in a patriarchy. We only need to glance at the media to see that the world is full of grey suited men who rule the world and ‘attractive, sexy’ young women who support them. Even female newsreaders and weather ‘girls’ have to show cleavage.
I take refuge in literature for that seems to be the only place I find support for my ideas but it continues to prove difficult to find positive role models. So called chick lit has emphasised that we have to get that man.
I was beginning to despair so thank you Leonora and thank the goddess for Mslexia.
Freda Bateman