One hundred years ago today California voters (all men, of course) gave women the right to vote. San Franciscans defeated the measure. But when results were tallied from the rest of the state, the measure passed by 3,587 votes. When Selina Ellen Solomons and her sister suffragists learned they’d won the right to vote they gave in to their “womanish tears” and “free rein to [their] emotions, with hand shaking and back slapping as well as hugging and kissing.” She wrote about their efforts in How We Won the Vote in California: The True Story of the Campaign of 1911, which you can read online or in your preferred e-format at the San Francisco public library.
Celebrate this herstoric day with one of the ideas I shared yesterday.
Or just listen to these songs. They touch my feminine soul and help me express what it feels like to be a woman. Dance to one, or the entire playlist, if it touches you, moves you. Give in to your tears. Express your joy. There is power in vulnerability and emotion.
Listen to clips on itunes or the entire songs on spotify.
I’ve moved and danced to all of these songs and most have a story to them. I’ve written about my experiences with Glory Box and Above the Bones in a two part essay.
What songs make you feel like a woman? Touch your feminine soul? Share your favorites in the comments or link to your own blog, itunes ping, spotify or other playlists. And if any of these songs inspire you to dance, I’d love to hear your story…
PS Except for Madonna (who kicks off and closes the playlist) I limited other artists to one song apiece; I made some tough choices (eg Beautiful Child by Fleetwood Mac which never fails to soothe me and release tears was left off to make room for the mysterious, mystical & magical Gold Dust Woman).
