Daymaker - a person who performs acts of kindness with the intention of making the world a better place.
~ David Wagner
, author of Life as a Daymaker; how to change the world by making someone's day ~

DayMaker - any thought, word, or deed that spreads happiness, compassion, or fruitful ideas.
~ Annis Cassells ~

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

A Fetching of Firsts, Part 7: First Defining Moment



First Defining Moment
Eighth grade, 1957

Marcy, our neighborhood elementary school in Detroit, served students from kindergarten through eighth grade. I began there in 1952 as a fourth grader when our family moved from Columbus, Ohio, to Concord Street.

Even in the younger grades, students went to special subjects classrooms for science, physical education, art, and music. These were the days before Title IX, so it was common, in the upper grades, for physical education classes to separate into boys’ and girls’ teams.

One winter during 7th or 8th grade, each Wednesday, instead of being teamed up with another class, we were the only group scheduled for physical education. This meant that there were not enough students to have two boys’ teams and two girls’ teams to play against each other. We had to play co-ed soccer.

During this era, a school rule existed that girls could wear only dresses or skirts to school. This made those co-ed soccer games difficult, uncomfortable, and painful for us girls. “If only we could wear jeans or slacks for gym class!” we all grumbled.

I decided to write a petition to try to get an exception to the rule. I cited the freezing temperatures and how our legs were numbed by the cold, the robust games with the boys, the girls’ discomfort as we worried about falling, and the limitations on movement those straight skirts posed. The next day, I talked up the petition in class. Every girl signed it. I delivered the document to the principal's office, leaving it with the school secretary. A day or two later, we got word that our request had been granted.

The following Wednesday before physical education class, we girls strutted into the large restroom, our jeans in paper bags, and changed out of our skirts. Then we marched onto the field and played soccer, uninhibited.

I still remember how proud I felt about the petition and the outcome. I’d experienced the “power of the pen” firsthand. I remember how the girls played full-out, into the game, and how good it felt to be heard.

This experience was a defining moment. It showed me that I was a leader. I could do things to effect change; I didn’t have to settle for the status quo.

What was your youthful defining moment?
~ xoA ~

12 comments:

  1. What a great foundational experience for you to have as a young woman.

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  2. I like hearing this story again. good for you!

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    1. Thanks, Terry. It's improved, with the help of my critique group. xoA

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  3. This is a wonderful example of how to go about and change the world. One small step perhaps, but every journey starts with one.

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    1. Thank you, Mark. I appreciate you reading and commenting. xoA

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  4. Man...your younger self is now my younger self's hero. Really an amazing story. :-)

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    1. What a sweet thing to say, Anna. Thank you. xoA

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  5. I love this story. You did something to make a change for the better.

    I don't know if this was a defining moment, but when I was in high school I was about 130, a bit overweight. I worked hard my junior year and got down to about 118. I did it for me, and I felt good. One of the football jocks asked me out in the beginning of my senior year. I asked him why he didn't ask me out earlier, because I was the same person. When he didn't have an answer, I told him I wasn't interested in a date. (I turned down one of the most popular guys in the whole high school). Many of my friends were shocked, but I didn't want to date the guy just because he didn't care when I was heavier.

    I guess my defining moment was standing up for myself and not letting someone think I was any different just because I had lost weight.

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    1. Definitely a defining moment, Joan. You realized his lack of depth and extended yourself a measure of self-respect. Love it. Thanks so much for sharing. xoA

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  6. I would have to say that my defining moment was when i decided that I would not fall into the trap that many of the kids I knew growing up in Gary Indiana succumbed to. They all dropped out of school or thought that there was no point. I came from a family of 9 children and i was only one to graduate from high school and college. i had perfect attendance in school from 7th grade until college.

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    1. Donnee, congratulations on coming to that big decision in your life. Definitely a defining moment. You became a person who wanted more for yourself. I'm curious. What is it that brought you to that decision? Was there a specific incident that you can recall?

      Thank you for writing and sharing your story.
      xoA

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