Open Letter to Women’s Magazine Publishers

Dear People Who Publish Women’s Magazines,

I love my mother. And my aunts. And my mother’s friends. And my friend’s mothers. And my female teachers in high school. I love all the women in the world that were older and wiser than me that taught me how to be a woman when I was a young girl.

Love them. Needed them. Appreciate them.

They taught me, for example, that being a woman doesn’t mean you’re second class. They also taught me that there was no dream that I could not dream for myself, and that I could like pink and still be the kick ass grown up I am today. They taught me that happiness can be found within myself and not necessarily within a pair of shoes, a friend or a boyfriend.

They also taught me to sit up straight. And to stop fidgeting. And how to pick something up off the floor like a lady. Slight bend the knees, squat gracefully and then straighten up, instead of a straight leg bend. Perfect!

They taught me to chew with my mouth closed, put a napkin in my lap, and not talk with my mouth full.

They taught me that after I’m completely ready before a night out on the town, that I must inspect myself in the mirror and take off one accessory so as not to look overdressed.

They taught me that I am a “Winter” and that I should avoid pastel colored makeup and stick to wearing deeper colors of clothing.

They also taught me that I should take care of myself, eat healthy, dress neatly, be polite, be nice to my friends, say thank you, please and excuse me.

I was raised by a community of women who taught me lots of stuff about being a woman. Some of the lessons were necessary, some of them I am still trying to unlearn.

So, Magazine Publishers, I do not need you to tell me how to be a woman.

I’m not interested in what you think is the right kind of woman or the wrong kind of woman. I know what kind of woman I am, and what kind of woman I want to be.

I don’t need to see your bold red letters screaming at me from the checkout aisle, “Flatten Your Belly!”

I don’t need you to tell me to “Make Today Happier!”

I certainly don’t need you to elaborate on “10 Ways to Please Your Man.” He is plenty pleased. Well, he wasn’t after this post, but that’s another story for another time.

Finally, I don’t need you to tell me what is beautiful, how my skin should look and what some rich, famous woman married to a rich, famous man with four children and six nannies thinks of child rearing because, frankly, that woman lives on a completely different planet than I do and I am at a complete loss as to how her story is supposed to help me better understand motherhood, womanhood, or, really, anything at all.

You know what I would like?

I would like you to tell me something I don’t know.

Sincerely,

All the Woman I Need To Be

Photo credit: bravenewtraveler