Years ago I attended military leadership training on Equal Employment Opportunities with my unit. A gentleman from West Africa was providing the training. Sadly I have forgotten his name but I still remember his message. You see he started his training with the following quiz - he said our answers could be names of people either living or dead, male or female except for the first two questions.
Try answering the questions yourself.
1. Can you name one influential American man?
2. Can you name one influential American woman?
3. Can you name one influential Irish-American?
4. Can you name one influential Italian-American?
5. Can you name one influential Native-American?
6. Can you name one influential Jewish-American?
7. Can you name on influential Japanese-American?
8. Can you name one influential German-American?
9. Can you name one influential African-American?
10. Can you name one influential Polish-American?
11. Can you name one influential Chinese-American?
He gave us about 10 minutes to complete the quiz, then he called for a show of hands. How many answered all eleven questions. No hands. Ten questions - no hands. Nine questions - no hands. On the count went. Five questions - my hand went up. The majority of the group had about 3 answers.
I was feeling pretty good about my accomplishment.
With great dignity he quietly stated, "Other than the first question how many women did you list?"
Women? None - well one, the question that specifically asked about an influential woman.
He went on to say that this list was more about our values as a society. It was about how our education looked at half our population. Until we consciously teach about women's accomplishments we will never achieve true equality for anyone.
I'm not sure what else he said, my mind was was still reeling from his bombshell. I who had felt proud moments before - now felt clueless.
Today- I close my eyes - and remember this dignified man. This man in his suit and baby blue shirt. The cadence of his words, with their soft accent. His twinkling eyes as he threw the curve ball, "How many of your names were that of women?"
In that moment I changed. Today I look differently at history and how we teach it.
Try answering the questions yourself.
1. Can you name one influential American man?
2. Can you name one influential American woman?
3. Can you name one influential Irish-American?
4. Can you name one influential Italian-American?
5. Can you name one influential Native-American?
6. Can you name one influential Jewish-American?
7. Can you name on influential Japanese-American?
8. Can you name one influential German-American?
9. Can you name one influential African-American?
10. Can you name one influential Polish-American?
11. Can you name one influential Chinese-American?
He gave us about 10 minutes to complete the quiz, then he called for a show of hands. How many answered all eleven questions. No hands. Ten questions - no hands. Nine questions - no hands. On the count went. Five questions - my hand went up. The majority of the group had about 3 answers.
I was feeling pretty good about my accomplishment.
With great dignity he quietly stated, "Other than the first question how many women did you list?"
Women? None - well one, the question that specifically asked about an influential woman.
He went on to say that this list was more about our values as a society. It was about how our education looked at half our population. Until we consciously teach about women's accomplishments we will never achieve true equality for anyone.
I'm not sure what else he said, my mind was was still reeling from his bombshell. I who had felt proud moments before - now felt clueless.
Today- I close my eyes - and remember this dignified man. This man in his suit and baby blue shirt. The cadence of his words, with their soft accent. His twinkling eyes as he threw the curve ball, "How many of your names were that of women?"
In that moment I changed. Today I look differently at history and how we teach it.
