When I was a tot my father gave me a toy Volkswagen in powder blue. My mother gave me a doll that cried. Already budding a flair for style, I insisted on adorning my doll in real infant clothing. Never mind the cost. While my baby napped, I ventured into the garden equipped with my powder blue VW. Soon, I had transformed the garden into a maze of dirt streets, twisted highways and pretend stoplights. In between baby feedings, I caught salamanders for which my father had built a cage. I was devastated when the slivery, little things passed away.

Does convention prohibit little girls from playing with toy cars and catching creepy bugs? I won’t even dignify that with an answer. As American women, we are fortunate to reside in the United States where we are now revered for expressing our independence. Just tune into to any news station and you will see that female journalists and political analysts prevail. Albeit, women are prettier to look at than their male counterparts, I think all would admit. And what is sexier than a hot, elegant woman who can cream a man in a political debate? Trust me. I’m not biased but I do recognize how far our gender has come.

Does the glass ceiling still exist? You betcha. Neda Soltani was an Iranian patriot who recently rallied for her country and paid brutally with her life. Prudishness may exist on some levels here in the US of A but certainly not suppression. I can only imagine the consequences if Neda had played with toy cars in her country when she was a child.

There still exists a bias toward Japanese Geisha who some would proclaim are prostitutes. What an abomination. Those individuals should have their mouths washed with soap. Gei means arts or performances, and sha means people in Japanese. They are neither ordinary hostesses nor prostitutes. Extensive training begins at a very young age to include traditional Japanese dance, singing, playing instruments, flower arrangement, wearing kimono, Japanese tea ceremony, calligraphy, linguistics, alcohol serving manners and more. Modern day Geisha have now expanded their skills to include modeling and international touring. Geisha are an important aspect of Japanese culture attracting many people from around the globe.

Islamic women are still required to wear burqa. Recently, the French republic, in a divine addition to their orgasmic wines, cheeses and kick ass flea markets, condemned the burqa as deprivation of female identity. Glory a la francaise!

Back in the 1940’s when women were still considered subservient by many, my grandmother raised 4 children without a husband by working a full time job to feed the kids and pay the mortgage. Later, she fostered my formative years while mom worked as a hair stylist. I am proud to be their offspring.

This morning at 6am, my precious, little schnauzer tossed her cookies. Armored with a bottle of 409 and purple dish gloves, I held my breath as I cleaned up her business. I couldn’t help but think of all the women in this world who dedicate their lives to rearing a family. What about the mothers who manage careers as well? Wait. Mothering a family is a career without a time card. Yes. That renders 2 careers. As a self-employed entrepreneur and photographer, at least I can throw in the towel with a glass of wine whenever I fancy.

My unconscious hunger for entrepreneurialism began with my powder blue VW. Already at such a young age, I craved the expression for personal freedom to do whatever the hell I wanted. Not much has changed.

I feel very fortunate as a woman to live in a free country where I can play with my toy cars and baby dolls while voicing my overt and assertive opinions. At least I know that I won’t get chastised or killed. Written by Meeshee