WHEN I WAS COMING OF AGE, women’s voices were growing louder, stronger as part of the women’s liberation movement. Women of the 60s and 70s sought equal opportunities and rights in society, in the workplace, in life in general.
I myself became the first female to join the Future Farmers of America chapter at Wabasso High School in the early 1970s. You can bet the boys eyed me with suspicion, wondered what business a girl had in a club that, up until then, was exclusive to males. But I didn’t care what they thought.
Obviously, I never went on to become a farmer, to marry a farmer or work in an ag-related field. But I covered agriculture while freelancing and also working for several rural weekly and daily newspapers. My FFA involvement, but mostly my farm background, proved useful in writing news stories and features.
And then there was the fact that I was a female journalist. That did not sit well with everyone in the small Minnesota town where I worked right out of college. I was opening disdained by more than one school and city official who preferred I not report on controversial topics. While their demeaning behavior and negative attitudes frustrated me, that did not deter me from covering public meetings and reporting what was said. I had an editor and publisher who backed me up. He knew I was just doing my job and doing it well and that no angry man would stop me.
Thankfully, attitudes toward women have improved through the years, personally and professionally. Not to say change is not yet needed. But women are generally treated better than decades ago. I doubt a public employee or elected official today would treat a female journalist the way I was in the late 70s and early 80s without repercussions. And I doubt high school boys would get away with openly questioning why a girl could join FFA.
This all provides the backstory to a recent discovery. I was waiting at my local community bank to do business when I noticed a handful of coloring books racked in a holder. I pulled out a Justice League Jumbo Coloring & Activity Book and flipped through the pages. And when I happened upon the FINISH THE PICTURE Draw the other half of Superman™, I nearly shouted, “YES!” Instead of drawing Superman as instructed, someone (a woman or girl, I expect) drew Wonder Woman.
As a woman, I felt such validation in that moment. Yes, women can be superheroes, too. Yes, women can break away and out and above and beyond and decide, no, I’m not drawing the other half of Superman. I’m drawing me—a strong woman.
THOUGHTS?
© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
oh, I love your discovery! and you were a pioneer for women ahead of your time. brilliant. I do agree, there is still a long way to go, with equal pay, etc. , but things are certainly better –
I was pretty excited when I found that art. And, yes, we’ve come a long ways.
Equality and equity issues have come a long way but we still have a way to go.
Much accomplished. Yet much to be done.
Your comments are spot on. I was a female journalist at a newspaper in the 70s, although I worked in features not the general news reporting as you did. When I would accompany a male photographer to do an interview, the subjects sometimes asked if we were married. They just assumed a woman could not be out there doing this on her own. Also there was sometimes prejudice against women writers. One of my female colleagues used two initials, rather than her first name, for her byline. Things are better now, but women like us and Superwoman had to pave the way.
Bernadette, it’s interesting to hear the challenges you faced as a female journalist in the 1970s. I definitely felt the discrimination against me on many levels. That your co-worker used her initials truly speaks to how things were for women reporters “back then.” I suppose we did help pave the path. 🙂
That was an interesting discovery at the bank. Good for whoever did that.
I agree. I was excited to find this and knew it needed to be shared.
😂🤣😂I LOVE this discovery!! Go get them you tough ladies! Being a lady trail blazer myself the road was riddled with some pretty deep potholes but hopefully it is a bit smoother for those women who came after me. One thing for sure about us farm kids, we learned young to just get any job done no matter how crappy or hard it was! Good find Audrey!😊
I was pretty certain you would appreciate this post, trailblazing Paula.
You know, I am not as young as I was when I was a trailblazer but then after leading a group hiking last weekend…maybe I still have a bit of that still in me! LOL
I think you do, Paula. Once a trailblazer, always a trailblazer.
😂👣🛤️
I love that you were the first girl in the club! Good job, you!
Kinda cool, huh?
That’s fantastic! I love it. I hope my granddaughter does the same thing if she gets the chance. Yes, women have come a long way since the 70s but prejudice certainly lingers all around us.
I have no doubt that your daughter would draw the same given the opportunity. She has a strong grandma and, I bet, an equally strong mom.
How about a book title for you? NO ANGRY MAN WOULD STOP ME
That’s great, Ruth!