So the brilliant Lionesses ‘brought it home.’ Watching some of the action, the goals, girls’ and women’s faces in the crowd and hearing their absolute joy… delicious!
And…
Same-old-same-old…
We females have to reach the utmost pinnacle of achievement before the ‘collective’ takes notice. That’s what the Lionesses have done; winning games right left and centre, making it to the final and, now, winning the Euros.
Before it was, ‘Errr hello… We’re here!’
Call me a sour-puss but it’s only recently that the F.A. has been investing in the England Women’s team. And the glorious women team members don’t earn anything like the male England team members. In fact, they have to work part-time to support themselves.
What companies have asked them to be brand ambassadors like male footballers are? (I bet they’ll ask the Lionesses now!) And how many schools are still not encouraging girls’ football in their sports’ programme?
But, you say, shouldn’t we be grateful that the FA has invested in women’s football for the past 10 years? Given the first women’s match of an international character took place in 1881 at Hibernian Park in Edinburgh, part of a tour by Scotland and England teams…
Well you do the maths!
And shouldn’t we be grateful that some schools are encouraging girls to play football? Roughly 60% of schools in England offer girls equal access to football in PE lessons but only 40% encourage extra-curricular activity, i.e., teams and team building.
What say you?
NO NO NO NO NO NO NOOOOOO… Not good enough!
That’s what the majority of we women have always done; been grateful for the scraps! Look at your own history and you’ll see what I mean…
Pheweeee! Am I riled up about this or am I riled up about this???
So I quieten, go inside and see what’s going on…
The tears come quickly.
Tears of sadness and grief for myself and all the women who’ve gone before, including those in football, whose talents haven’t been acknowledged, encouraged or supported by the Patriarchy.
For Goddess’s sake, British married women weren’t even allowed to have a bank account in their own name until 1975. It took an Act of Parliament to enable that a mere 47 years ago! Can you believe it?
As I stop to go inside myself again, I see my Wild Soul cheering me on with big, sweeping and encouraging motions.
Tears again… For this too is part of my mission on earth. To enable your righteous anger, your passion, so you can channel its energy into being even more of the magnificent woman you were designed to be.
SHA-FREAKIN-ZAM!
Love and wild warm wishes…
Find your divine spark and direction,
Know who you are, where you’re going
And what you came here to do!
PS… My Spirit School will support you to become even more of the magnificent woman you were designed to be. A journey of healing and wholeness, of embracing your wondrous Wild Soul and living life through its wisdom. For news, musings and practical tips, if you haven’t already done so, connect with me now at www.facebook.com/sharoneden.biz