Supplements

Commentary

By Liz Quirin

The Value and Dignity of Women of Any Age

I stood in the doorway of the meeting room at the rectory in Damiansville and listened to the discussion. I understood the general topic: the dignity and the value of women. It was a two-day retreat for Hispanic women, and everything was in Spanish. Anyone who knows my grasp of Spanish would tell you I know enough to get myself into trouble, but that hasn’t stopped me so far.

The 20-plus women who attended the retreat were engaged and involved in the discussions. Based on the Bible, women should never have to question their dignity, their value or the place in society or the church. Who was it that arrived at Jesus’ tomb first? The women. How is “wisdom” usually described? A woman. And so it goes.

Women are well represented among the disciples, with Mary being described as “the first disciple.” However, throughout history, women have been relegated to the shadows, to places where they can impact families and society but be neither recognized nor congratulated for whatever they accomplish.

This retreat gave voice to their dignity and their courage, especially in their homes where Latino machismo is well known. Sometimes women are seen less as partners and more as housekeepers, cooks and nannies, sometimes working outside the home in other capacities. However, the ladies said they were happy to be in this country where equal work provides equal pay. Since I didn’t want to look like a naysayer, I didn’t dispute this, but somehow I just don’t think that’s quite true. Many women in American society continue to struggle, not so much for recognition perhaps but more to be seen as the equal partners in industry, in homes and in the church, where some women don’t always experience equality. Will equality ever become the norm, rather than the exception? I fervently hope so. In some ways, the men who perpetrate and perpetuate the present system, refusing to see and treat women equally, need to undergo a radical change of heart. While I see this as unlikely in the near future, “nothing will be impossible for God.” (Luke 1:37)

Because so many important issues try to intrude on our consciousness, it is easy to overlook the challenges women face every day, especially women who must navigate in a society where language barriers make their dependence on men more common. However, we need to focus on women, on their roles in their households, their roles in society and their roles in the church. Are women respected and treasured for what they bring to the table, not because of their education or their status or how much money they have or control, but because of their humanity?

The women in Damiansville eagerly heard that women were important to Jesus. We need to make sure they know we believe all women have important roles to play in today’s world as well. Then we need to be ready to make our actions speak as well as our words.