i am woman, hear me roar

woman and man

i was chatting with my mother this evening, when the movie Pete's Dragon came up. for those who don't know, its an old disney film about an orphaned boys who finds a friend in a dragon named Pete, and a home with a family of lighthouse keepers. the soundtrack happens to be excellent, with cheerful lyrics such as "it's not easy to share somebody's dream, it gets easy when you work as a team," and "i'll be your candle on the water." i commented that the lead female actress, helen reddy, had a beautiful voice. my mother, whom is a surprising wealth of all music-related trivia, informed me of another song that ms. reddy, happens to be known for , i am woman. 

just yesterday, in response to a question i was asked about my being, i felt compelled to respond with the all meaningful and blanket statement of "i am woman." in my thinking, the statement carries an intense amount of power, and an intense amount of meaning. over the years, i suppose we all go through phases where we question our identity and try to "find" ourself. for a variety of reasons, this past year and these past few months in particular, have caused me to recognize, embrace, and honor my womanhood more than ever. indeed, my identity as a woman has become precious to me, and is something i am proud to define myself by. 

the song by ms. reddy is from another time, but i believe the sentiment remains true. as i come to understand my own femininity, i am realizing the there is a unity among women that transcends age, and time. as an individual that also defines herself as an "Obie," i feel compelled to state that my reference to the unity among women extends to anyone who identifies as a woman, and to affirm that 'my people' are those that truly love women...

i am woman, hear me roar

in number too big to ignore

and i know too much to go back an' pretend

'cause i've heard it all before

and i've been down there on the floor

no one's ever gonna keep me down again

oh yes i am wise

but its wisdom born of pain

yes, i've paid the price

but look how much i gained

if i have to, i can do anything

i am strong (strong)

i am invincible (invincible)

i am woman

you can bend but never break me

'cause it only serves to make me

more determined to achieve my final goal

and i come back even stronger

not a novice any longer

'cause you've deepened the convictions in my soul

i am woman watch me grow

see me standing toe to toe

as i spread my lovin' arms across the land

but i'm still an embryo

with a long way to go

until i make my brother understand

oh yes i am wise

buts its wisdom born of pain

yes, i've paid the price

but look how much i gained

if i have to i can face anything

i am strong (strong)

i am invincible (invincible)

i am woman

oh, i am woman

i am invincible

i am strong

                     - helen reddy, I AM WOMAN