Yesterday and today, were born two of the strongest women I know.  Two brave hearts of two  generations, our daughter Erin (in her 3rd decade) and our good friend Patty (in her 6th) deserve our attention.  It is no coincidence, I think, that Erin’s celebration fell on International Women’s Day this year and Patty’s the day after.  We spent the day with Erin doing the ordinary stuff. And then we got to hear her blend her alto with the voices of Portland’s Aurora Chorus for their 7th Annual International Women’s Day concert.  Extraordinary!  The theme: Shaking the Foundation was drawn in part from these words:

Any great change must expect opposition, because it shakes the very foundation of privilege. 

-Lucretia Mott

The concert was a commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment,  the “efforts of generations of American women to expose and push through the unjust constraints placed upon women in America and the still evolving story of women’s suffrage casting a light on the on-going forces that suppress the vote today.”

We were deeply touched by the music.  The lyrics shook the foundation.  With great respect I share some of the words to Linda Allen’s stunning piece Where I Stand:

Woman standing in the rain on a cold October day
In her hand there was a sign, It said, There Must Be A Better Way.
By her side her child asked why Do you do the things you do?
Once, you know, I did it for me, Now I’m doing it for you

So you will know where I stand
You will know who I am
You will know where I stand
If it all falls down

Used to be I believed I could change some hearts with a hand-made sign Now I know I gotta keep on so that others won’t change mine.
Sometimes things have to fall apart to make way for something new
Hold a sign, hold a vision ’cause I’m leavin’ it up to you.  

Where I Stand ©2002 Linda Allen

Above are two of my favorite pics of Erin (right) and Patty.  Patty was raising her fist and clear message, literally on a cold October day in 2018, on the steps of the federal courthouse in Eugene, surrounded by the children and youth plaintiffs of Our Children’s Trust.  Erin stood on the banks of the Willamette in Portland in 2019, using her outside voice, calling the legislature to finally fund Oregon public schools at a level deserving of the basic rights of our children and the integrity of their teachers.  Both stood strong on their appointed days in the face of the resounding “HELL NO!” from the power-brokers of the Realm.  As Patty spoke, the judges had, once again, denied a day in court to the 21 youth suing the U.S. for the Constitutional right to a livable climate.  As Erin held her hand-made sign the Republicans of the Oregon Assembly had gone AWOL, denying a vote, while class sizes soared over 40.

I saw Patty again on the Capitol steps in Salem last week, holding another sign.  When I saw her, I knew I was in the right place.   At least I think I was.  But it’s hard, right?  When the only home we have is on fire and Republican legislators have left the building again so we can’t put into law one of the best last chances our children have at a future?  It’s hard enough for an old white guy like me and I don’t really have a clue, do I, what women and girls face every day.  We heard Erin and her friends singing their hearts out yesterday and we remembered why we keep showing up.  Thank you, strong women, for keeping us strong. For the courage not to give up or give in.  If you haven’t heard Linda Allen’s song, go to www.lindasongs.com and listen.  “Why do you do the things you do?”  The answer’s right there.

Thank you so much Erin Pitney.  Thank you Patty Hine.  For believing in yourselves.  For believing in the agency of womankind and kind women.  For saying, “Hell Yes!” For holding signs and vision, so our children will know where you stand, so maybe we can figure out where we stand.  Happy Birthday.