Hello New Friends,
I really hope this post doesn't ruffle any tail feathers, because that is
not my intent.  I am proud to know there are women out there who care as
much about the people they serve in the community as you do.  It's not
the initials behind your name that will get you the respect and
recognition you deserve, though.  Money???  Perhaps.  A raise or
promotion?  Perhaps.  The honor and heartfelt respect you ache for?  Not
as often as one might tend to believe.  We may have been taught "When in
Rome, do as the Romans do."  So we believe that in order to be credible
to Drs., Hospitals, Politicians, etc., we have to dress like they do and
jump through their hoops and get some fancy degrees and letters that say
we should be believed and credible.  It is my opinion that to say how we
should be treated is to openly admit that somewhere deep down inside of
us, we might really be the ones who don't believe in us and doubt our own
credibility.  For centuries women have been honored among people for
providing a vital service to her community through Midwifery, Medicine,
Mothering, and I'm sure Breastfeeding support.  It was a skill passed
down from generation to generation.  They were "wise" and it was a fact
of life and they didn't ask to be recognized, they didn't need to, it was
the "norm".  Now we have had all of this "Education & Technology" come
through with all the wonderful advances and cures and treatments, (many
of which absolutely take more formal schooling).  But does this mean that
good old first hand experience now need be discounted?  Of course not!  I
am very pro education, I believe learning keeps us alive.  But it is
through experience that we become wise and how we build intuition.  And,
by the way, I believe the same is true for Men and Children, I don't mean
to get sexist with this.  I think it is when we recognize ourselves, in
smaller groups and with one another, and believe in ourselves, deep
inside where no one can take it away from you, that we will shine so
bright that we can't be "put down" by another for lack of formal
education.  These professions are to serve, from our hearts and souls,
it's not the money as much as "knowing we are making a difference".  When
we shine within, we shine without.  Only then when we all support each
other and stand together will we stop demanding recognition and take our
rightfully respected place of honor in our communities.  Stop accepting
the little scraps we get thrown our way.  Doing it "their way" has got
this country in debt, our communities in debt, medical lawsuits galore, a
lacking health care system, the price of services and medicines sky
rocketing, higher rates of C-Section, more ear infections and sick kids.
When do we see that doing it the way we are doing it is getting us what
we are getting and STOP!  Together we can have voting power and make
policy changes, devided we keep trying to jump through hoops that somehow
keep getting a little higher.  Just like in the movie Braveheart, we
cannot fight among ourselves and gain our FREEDOM.  We were born to it,
just live it.  You have seen it in others, try it for yourself.  I really
do love you guys.  Sorry I got so long winded.
Love and keep doing your best,
Tanya