A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.-John C. Maxwell
How can a word used to describe someone have such different meanings depending on the gender of the one being defined? That just proves how much discrimination there is in society’s expectations for its different members. I’ve focused on this phenomenon a lot over the past week as reams of articles were published on the amazing retiring Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi. The term ‘badass’ came up more than once, suggesting a level of confidence, expertise, and skill making the Speaker unshakable, and the label fairly and honestly earned. At the same time, I well remember many men tagged the same way who people felt nothing but disgust for. Is it a compliment or a condemnation? That seems to depend on the accepted societal role played by the individual. Continue Reading
