Dear Ladies,
It’s March already, and just now at 1 PM a woman came knocking on our office door. I don’t even want to imagine how hot summer will be in May.
The story now.
The woman was referred to me and said she was a sales executive at a hotel, urging me to have their facility considered for corporate gatherings. As a marketing and communications professional, this was not unusual.
What did come as a surprise or well, halted me from my normal workday – was her.
She appeared to be a woman in her mid-40s, and there was something in her demeanor that led me to believe she was beginning her career all over again. While we chatted for a solid five minutes, I saw her excellent grammar, high-quality pronunciation, and stunning handwriting—characteristics not generally related to a new sales executive.
I asked her politely if she was going back to work after a break, saying how she brought to mind a teacher. She was amazed that someone had pierced her carefully constructed professional facade.
It made me remember how time can be cruel, and how life is full of surprises. It also reminded me of a harsh reality, women and men must always have money, a career, a trade to fall back on.
In India, 8.5% of urban and 2.5% of rural women are unemployed or don’t own businesses. However, this doesn’t necessarily imply that they are not contributing. During building Marg and BEADS, I have encountered hundreds of women artisans whose bank accounts are held in the names of their fathers, husbands, sons, or brothers. Seldom in their own names. And if the government or NGOs intervene to ensure financial independence, money is usually kept under the control of the men in these households.
These experiences remind me, again and again, of how essential it is to have one’s own identity and financial independence. Claim it with pride.
Salutes to all such women who are our unsung heroes, inspiring the likes of me. Some experiences leave you brooding for hours. This was one such.
In thoughts,
Pragnya
