Lately I’ve been feeling a bit undone by the tsunami of #metoo tumbling towards me in my social media streams. How do we swim against this tide of insufferable behavior rather than being consumed by it? Are we, am I, becoming the sum of the indignities perpetrated against me and my gender or are we something much more powerful than that? I believe it is the latter.
In small towns and big cities, in red states and blue, across this crazy and complicated nation of ours, change IS happening. It’s happening quietly, without fanfare or Twitter storms. It’s being engineered by women who are either doubling down or just plain fed up. It’s being led by women who are moving and making. They are changing the state of our nation, and I, for one, am thankful for these women and the women like them. They’re women who #wearthepants.
Rather than cave to the crowd of naysayers, we’ve decided to join in as joyful celebrants of women who #wearthepants. Women making good things happen in our communities, workplaces, classrooms, teams, families and lives. Over the coming months, we’ll share stories of women who break barriers and build community, who inspire us with their actions sweeping and small. We’re starting off with three stories that are particularly personal for me because these are women change-makers in my life.
I met Clare Bresnahan English at the end of our last election cycle, when I was distraught, not so much by the outcome, but by the paucity of female voices in the public arena. Yes, there was Hillary. But a single woman can be, and usually is, a lightening rod. Seeing more women – on both sides of the aisle – that’s the stuff that real change is made of. Clare has set herself the task of making that change. She’s set herself the moon shot goal of 250,000 women running for elected office by 2030 and she’s putting her money and muscle where her mouth is. You #wearthepants Clare.
My pal, Ashley Korenblat and I share a love of mountain-biking and business. She’s a Dartmouth-trained MBA who answered the twin calls of the west and the wild. Now she finds herself building a business, pursuing a passion, and protecting our nation’s public lands at the same time. You #wearthepants Ashley.
You’ll have to go way back to the early 90’s to find the first threads of my friendship with Jill Vialet. Back then, we shared a house in which we were both boot-strapping a kernel of an idea. Mine became Title Nine, and Jill’s was the first in a series of nonprofits that have now spread across the country. Jill is a serial social entrepreneur and a mom of five, so she understands more than most about the transformative power of play. And she has DONE more than most when it comes to ensuring that all of our kids get access to play during the school day. You #wearthepants Jill.
The main thing about these women? Well, each one of them is actually pretty ordinary. But each one of them found a problem they wanted to solve…really badly, and they set their mind and muscle to it. They inspired a few folks to come along for the ride and the work, and then a few more and a few more. That is the stuff that change is made of. These are the women who #wearthepants. Chances are they look a lot like you.
Missy Park, Founder
Learn more about these pants-wearin’ women. We’ll be adding a new badass woman each week, so stayed tuned for more. And hey, let’s share the love! Know any women who are making things happen — both big and small — and deserve a little recognition? Give them a shout out on your favorite social media channels using the hashtag #wearthepants.
From commercial banker to luxury tennis apparel designer (proudly cut and sew in Los Angeles) – I now #wearthepants
And now I’m taking my company – I ❤️ LOVE MY DOUBLES PARTNER – and helping other tennis loving women #wearthepants by opening a boutique in their home!
When we are the BOSS we make the rules.
Here’s to #integrity #passion #fun
I’m over the middle-age hump; and when I was away at university, I encountered such a performer. Not sports, but the performing arts and music; moreover, as she was far older than I,
she has now been dead for about twenty years. So I guess that makes her ineligible for her wear-the-pants role models.
Her stage name, by which she was/is known worldwide, is Betty Carter. She was a jazz musician, and her instrument was her voice.
I dearly wish I could share more about her with you.
To name her proudly to you will have to be enough.
Stay strong, fight the good fight!
You go girl
Missy – thank you for a positive and fresh focus…. much needed. Women are powerful creators of change! I look forward to your blog and learning more about these amazing people!
Kris
I just discovered this blog. Lots to ponder. And, what wonderful and inspiring stories about each of these women. I don’t Tweet either so I’m including my message below.
I am the founder and artist for a 31yo science illustration business. I’ve hired young artists and/or well-established female creatives as jobs demand. At the same time I’ve taught botanical illustration to over 1000 mostly female students, ages 12 to 81 at the Denver Botanic Gardens School of Botanical Art and Illustration.
Currently, in addition to illustration work, teaching and organizing national art workshops, I am venturing out as a solo-preneur and plan to launch a very exciting new garden product in 2018! (The details are under wraps!)
What do I do in my spare time? I’m a year-round mountain trail runner, Nordic skate competitor, self-taught tele skier, mountain biker (last 3 rides were my transportation to the base of Colorado 14’ers), road biker, swimmer and I can’t forget, Vinyasa yoga enthusiast. My husband, very athletic children, and 300 days of sunny Colorado day sinspire me, always.
Although I’ve been told I’m a mentor and female role model to many, the one role I haven’t taken on is that of Title Nine model. It’s been a long time desire! Have you ever considered having a 60+, size 4 gal model your clothes and her stunts in a T9 catalog? I still have the legs, the body and the energy! I’d love to try out!!
As another mid-century lady, I would applaud the consideration Marjorie as a model. I’ve often showed my coworkers the catalog and mentioned how much I admire the models because of their authenticity. All my younger nieces are wearers but so are my sister and I. Thanks for sharing, Marjorie!
consideration “of” Marjorie, meant to say!
These are really great, however I do not do twitter. It is just one more thing that will keep me from doing what I love to do. Help Animals and grow gardens. I once started Community Garden that has such a long waiting list I am figuring out how to find land for another.
I have climbed mountains like Whitney, Mt Blanc, I ski, I bike and I Roller Blade too. As soon as I have time will paddle board and learn to Kayak. Growing up I rowed alot on the river. I still do these things and I amn 71 years old partially retired.
Awesome Kari. You definitely #wearthepants!