In 2007 I worked with Justin doing miscellaneous jobs. Some days we’d move people in and out of there homes and apartments. Other days wed be doing clean outs picking up peoples junk. I am not exaggerating when I say that every job I went to my sexuality was pointed out. Told that I shouldn’t be lifting heavy objects because I am a girl. It was hard to walk up to customers of ours and stand next to Justin while he said, “Were here to move you today” Because those people look at you like your weak because your female. Many times Id be carrying a piece of furniture and men would walk up off the street and take it out of my hands assuming I needed there help. There were times when people would compliment me, say that I impressed them. I will always remember what one man said to me. After a long hard move he shook my hand and said, “You put some men I know to shame” What meant the most to me is that he shook my hand before shaking Justin’s. Now I work with Justin doing home remodeling. This too is not easy. Usually the home owner will not speak with me. They’ll talk straight to Justin. Usually ignore that I am there. Like I'm Justin’s little helper never his coworker.
Struggling with this all my life has made me appreciate the brave strong women who have come before me. I believe women still have to fight for equal rights and that there will always be sexist people but I know every day that goes by there is less of them. To the ones who make me feel this way, I’m not mad. If there were not people like you there would not be women like me, but for the women destined to come into your lives, I suggest you tell them that they can do anything and that there feelings are not a side effect from being a girl. That everyone has feelings even you.
