Our Mother, Our Selves

 

Gloria Marie Steinem and her mother, Ruth Nuneviller Steinem

Like her daughter—Gloria Steinem’s mother, Ruth Nuneviller Steinem—was also a writer. In fact, she was a reporter and an editor for the Toledo Blaze--although, she was made to publish under a man’s name. Those were the days. Everyone accepted it. But then, maybe not. Maybe they just pretended that they accepted it.

Once Gloria’s father left the family, Ruth went on to suffer from several nervous breakdowns and later as a single parent with little money and little support, she raised Gloria on her own. Gone was the opportunity to fulfill her own dreams and ambitions.

Here’s what Gloria Steinem said about our mothers and daughters:

A lot of us had mothers who were driven crazy by society. Or who just couldn’t be powerful through no fault of theirs. Society wouldn’t let them be powerful. In some sense we were motherless. The women’s movement allowed women to become each others mothers. And to support and model and hope and praise and love each other enough so that we could begin to repair the early damage.

This is why we had Consciousness Raising Workshops. At this point in time, it may seem quaint, but back in the late sixties, women did not feel safe freely sharing the growing sense that the world felt terribly unfair. We were told to be grateful if we were able to find a husband and our only ambition in life should be to keep a tidy home and care for the babies. I know this because at fifteen I begin attending Consciousness Raising Workshops with my mother (who like Gloria’s mother had a nervous breakdown). We were joined by my mother’s very progressive cousin, Beatrice. I am forever grateful for this sisterhood. And I believe it was hearing these women’s stories that made me want to be a writer and to make a difference in the world.

Creative Friends--in honor of Gloria’s memory, I would like to suggest that we mother each other, that we encourage each other’s creative endeavors and ambitions. Let’s make the world a kinder, more generous place--so that we may all feel the power of being loved and mothered and supported.

Love,

Jamie