Oprah, Barbie and Girl Power!!

I was recently asked whether or not I thought Oprah had changed the world.  My answer to that was of course…no.  Sure, she has created a name for herself, well hell an entire empire even, but other than massive giveaways, telling us what books to read, and showing us that no matter how much money we have we weren't all meant to be skinny what impact has she really had on the world?  On that same day I was asked if I thought Barbie had changed the world.  My answer that time was yes.  I mean sure there is the whole negative body image stigma.  And, being a woman who grew up playing with Barbie's I get it.  She did give us all this unrealistic ideal of what a woman should look like, but I believe she has done way more good than bad.  It was the first series of dolls to depict women in different rolls.  Not just the mother and/or housewife, but a career woman.  Barbie was a doctor, pilot, fashion designer and rock star.   She showed us little girls that we could do anything we wanted, be whatever we wanted to be.  I will be forever grateful to Barbie for that.  Women are strong, beautiful, sensitive, nurturing, multi-taskers without whom the world would cease to exist.  These questions got me thinking about the women who inspired me and who truly did change the world.  Women such as Amelia Earhart, who I believe was the first true feminist.  There is a great article about her at HOWSTUFFWORKS.COM I highly recommend.  Lucille Ball, who was beautiful, smart and funny!  There was also Marilyn Monroe, who was the epitome of beauty and sensuality…a size 14 by the way.  So many women made the world what it is today.  Now please don't get me wrong, I really don't see myself as much of a feminist.  I dream of being a wife and mother above all else, but I also want to be a writer.   A lot of women have big dreams that don't afford them a lot of time at home.  That doesn't mean they shouldn't have children, or that we should criticize them for not being home if they do.  There are a lot of men out there who don't mind being stay at home dads.  I know women have this reputation or tradition I guess of being the ones who do the cooking and cleaning and if they don't work or are not the major breadwinners than I have no problem with that.  However, if they do bring home the bacon so to speak, and the man stays home then I feel there is no reason why he can't do it.  I of course believe in equal rights, but I can't deny the role women have inherently played throughout history.  We were the mothers, the ones who gave life and took care of everything within the home.  That is the miracle of our being.  I know that there are a lot of woman who don't want that life, and that is fine.  We can't really blame society for still seeing men and women in the traditional roles.  The world has come a long, long way and for the most part I am glad I grew up when I did.  J