Role Model

In German there is a denglish label for independent, successful women that I have always hated: Powerfrau aka "power woman". I hate it because it seems so patronising, there not being a male equivalent for it. Unfortunately, in the business and media world, women love to use it just as liberally. Be that as it may, I do think that strong women deserve to be recognised and recent events have made me realise that I am very privileged to have two generations of independent and self-sufficient women in the maternal line of my family as my role models.

Last Thursday, my father died at the age of 80, a very sad event that my mother and I no doubt will take some time to process fully. The past few weeks were very hard on her in particular and yet I am confident that she will take all challenges in her stride and not wilt like a flower after the death of her husband, like so many women of her generation do, who do not have a driver's licence (my mum made it with 18), have never been involved in family finances (my mum has been the "Minister of Finance" of the household for decades), don't have any hobbies or interests other than cooking for their men (before he became too weak to cook or even walk to the kitchen, dad always considered himself the chef, in particular when they had guests coming) and never had a profession or income of their own (Mum earned more than dad as she worked longer hours and had extra duties for most of her career). Her mother and one of her aunts, my great-aunt, ran businesses and my other maternal great-aunt worked in an office, where she was not just a typist or secretary as was the norm back then. 

As sad as we both are, I am relieved that my mother now finally has time for herself (even though there are a gazillion of things to organise in the coming weeks) and knowing that she won't do a "Greek widow" and hide at home in a black house dress is a great relief for me.