Amanda - Day 3 (3/8)

A Week in the Life of a Teacher - International Women's Day Edition. This one may rock the boat a little

6:00 Woke up to Thatcher sleepily crawling into my bed. Noodle is jealous and lays on top of both of us. We laugh at how ridiculously we all love to snuggle. I know Noodle is hungry so I start to get up after a few minutes and Thatcher stops me. He calls the dog and they go downstairs. When he comes back up I thank him for feeding the dog and he says, "Thank you for feeding me." I give him a long hug. He gets up to get dressed and tells me I need to get dressed too. When I get out of the shower I notice that he's wearing a red t-shirt. When I ask, he says that he remembered today was the day to wear red for women. I am beaming with pride and I hug him again.

7:00 We depart for Greensboro. We let Noodle ride too which makes everyone happy (especially Noodle). On the way, Thatcher says that he hopes his teacher will be there today to see his red shirt. I am glad that my child appreciates his teacher. I squeeze his knee. On the way back to Winston I listen to a morning show discuss whether the strike is a good idea. They keep saying its counterproductive. I try to call but can't get through. If I had gotten through, I would say, "Good morning. I appreciate this discussion. I, too, wonder what the power of this day will be. I, too, believe that women should contribute to society. This day is not about women quitting. Its one day to allow women to celebrate their work, however they see fit. And the fact that anyone is talking about the role of women, is a direct result of the strike."

8:25 I arrive at Camino ("Baby Camino" as some of us call it). I meet my best friend, her baby and my other best friend. We all enjoy the time together at a special, Woman-owned business. I admit that I almost chickened out of participating in the strike, but I am so glad that I did. I do worry that my sub backed out or that something crazy will happen, but that's all part of this, right? That my job matters and that hopefully one person, or more, will miss me.

9:00 I head home to spend some time on research. I want to know what it would mean to start a business or non-profit agency. I need to educate myself. I remind myself multiple times that I am capable of doing this. I also spend some time reflecting on what it means to celebrate this day. Is it mostly about remembering amazing women who did big things? Is it about empowering current women? Is it about forming a new generation of confident women? Is it ok to be mad about the bad things that happened to me as a girl? Should I share more things? How much guilt is too much? Who can I talk to about these things?

1:00 I go to lunch, by myself, at The Porch, another woman-owned business that is giving part of its profits today to a charity that supports women. I am happy eating alone with my thoughts. I tip the server 100% because she is my friend and I think she deserves it.

3:45 I arrive at school. I didn't really want to go to school for this rehearsal but I also wanted to make sure that my colleague got the afternoon off to spend with her child. I love watching the young women working so hard and am glad to hear that things went ok with my sub.

6:00 I get home, let the dog out and pour a glass of wine. I am glad I didn't work today and that I wore red and that I supported only women owned businesses. One last stop at 8:00 for the monthly Art Nouveau Society event. Luckily its at A/perture movie theatre, another woman-owned business.

While I know that there are many different opinions about today's actions, I am glad that I have worked hard to support myself, that I am raising a young man who supports women and equality, and that I live in a community where I don't have to hide myself. For all of the women, internationally, that don't have all of those privileges, I strike for you so that one day, you may speak for yourself. With much hope and gratitude for all of the strong women before me, all of the strong women around me, and all of the strong women who are yet to come, Amanda.