Women's History Month intends to honor, inspire, educate, unite and promote women in the face of forces intent on subjugating and silencing them. It is about those who overcame overt and imbedded assumptions and prejudice to be their best selves. RGB said it well:
“I ask no favor for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks.”
DAY 19: AUNT BETTY
(Images are property of the author)
Aunt Betty, or Liesel, was the light-hearted relative in the family. I liked to refer to her as the gorgeous imp. The other aunts had an expression for her, that roughly translated into “When there’s a Liesel in the house, mischief is bound to occur”.
She had beauty and grace, but also insight and caring for all those around her. Like many of my family members, she survived the atrocities of World War II that were cast upon German heritage citizens living in other countries, leaving them homeless and subject to retribution.
Today's administration and majority party are mirroring such atrocities. She and others warned us about the parallels during his first term, which brought up harrowing memories of the past as she wept over the direction this country she loved was taking.
She was also eternally curious, always wanting to learn and discover. It’s a trait we shared. Here she’s learning all about electric cars before going for a ride in one, while wishing she still had the abilities to drive it herself.
She and her husband immigrated to a successful new life in America. They loved this country, and were devastated by the hate and racism displayed during Trump's first term. With immense courage and pain, she tearfully followed her sister-in-law's lead and wrote about the German, Russian, and Yugoslav vengeful atrocities survived in eastern Europe during and after World War II, hoping to give current generations a view of where Republican policies were taking us.
I am forever grateful to them for that. It was especially hard, but provided some background for understanding what made my parents and relatives who they were, and thus who I am.
Modest, smart, resourceful and caring, she was a gem to be around.
#womenwhoinspireme
#womenshistorymo
#auntbetty
#creativeworkhour
#CWH
