I often think back about how my mother had to fight for her place in the sun. If World War II hadn’t happened, she probably would have lived out her life in Vienna working on her needlepoint and meeting her friends at the city’s famous coffee houses, gossiping about their friends. For all of those ladies, their husbands were in charge of them, their welfare, their actities, and what they were to think and to believe.
When the war changed those circumstances for my mom, turning her into a business woman who started to think for herself , she no longer wanted to ask permission from my dad before making any kind of move. The inevitable locking of horns between my parents had to take place and is described in detain in Becoming Alice.
We women have come a long way since those times with the work of feminists. Also, economic conditions have driven women into the work force where they have gained a much more equal footing with men. But today, I was surprised by a current situation that makes me question how far we have really come.
I opened my internet browser on AOL this morning and there was an article about the fact that at Winbledon, women tennis players were given the more desirable center court for their matches based on their “attractiveness.” What happened to the choice being made for their ability to play tennis? Do you now have to look “sexy” to get a spot on center court?
Ouch! I object! I felt I was being open minded when I accepted their rule making the players wear white in the tournament. Okay, that’s a throwback, but okay. I have no problem with the decision not to play on Sunday. I understand. But getting Center Court because you look like a fashion model. I don’t think so. That’s not right with me.
