A few weeks back, I finished reading The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant for at least the second time. And each time I read it, I come away with something more about our heritage and culture as women. I come away thankful for all the women in this world who walked before us, who paved the way for us to have the amazing lives that we do now. And I walk away sort of nostalgic and sad that through our transformation of equality, we have forgotten the strength of women in numbers, and the sheer amazing power of our human bodies.
I initially got the book hoping that it would be a good read for my teenage daughters who are in the midst of transforming into women. I was hoping that they might read the book, and feel empowered and proud to be young women, as well as grateful that the tides of women’s roles in life have changed so drastically.
But once again, it was me who enjoyed the book; who read the last line and came away stronger, more empowered, more affirmed that my role as a woman, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, wife and friend are powerful beyond measure.
At the end of the book, Anita Diamont, the author says:
“It sounds so obvious and simple to me, so motherhood and apple pie. And yet the idea that women are human beings remains news, a message that requires constant, clear, and artful reinforcement in a world that continues to undermine confidence and abilities of girls and women.”
While I know this is a busy season for all of us women – I urge you to put The Red Tent on your reading to-do list. In fact, I almost believe that it should be mandatory reading for all women.