Recently, while talking about Ragtown with two friends, Jenifer Badamo and Cristy Minton, the
subject of strong women came up.
Although my historical novel is set during the building of the Hoover Dam, I really tried to capture the experiences of the families involved in the
project, not just the men who worked in the diversion tunnels. Yes, my guys are, for the most part, tough
guys, but my women are strong, too, each in their own way. Since this is the beginning of what is known
in my family as 'Kelly Week' (I'll explain that later), I thought it would be
fun to tell you about a few of my strong Ragtown
women.
Betsy Carter arrived in the desert eight months pregnant and
gave birth to her youngest of three children on a hot desert night on the bank
of the Colorado River. Although Betsy is
the motherly influence, underneath that Mother Hubbard is one tough gal. She is a crack shot with a pistol, and not
afraid to use it to protect her family.
As young girls, Mae and Sally had dreams of one day marrying
and living happily ever after.
However, when both of their parents died, Mae, a teenager, was forced to
do whatever was necessary to take care of her younger sister. It was the 1930's and what few jobs were available
were reserved for men. Mae and Sally work as prostitutes
in the small cribs behind the Railroad Pass Casino.
Helen Carter is a sixteen year old firecracker. Small and redheaded, she has a mind of her
own. While the other residents of
Ragtown are withering under the desert heat, Helen seems to take her strength
from it. She is part of the desert and
finds beauty in what others consider ugly.
If there is a rock of the novel, it is Helen.
So as 'Kelly Week' begins, my conversation with Jen and
Cristy comes back around, because during the conversation, Cristy made the
following comment, which really hit home:
I think we are ALL strong, just most
of us don't see that in ourselves...
I have friends that have overcome
breast cancer, have undergone chemotherapy for Hepatitis, have lost husbands
and children. I know women who are
raising kids with Autism and other disabilities, who are taking care of their
parents and grandparents, and who are raising families on their own. I have writer friends who have dug deep into
their souls to share painful past experiences, others who are working on
advanced degrees to improve their lives, and still others that have become
successful businesswomen in a world that is still dominated by men. These are the women I consider strong. I certainly don't always think of myself as
strong, but I am a Nurse, and a mother and I have made it to 29 (whatever). So, in my own way, I am strong, too. As Cristy said, 'most of us don't see that in
ourselves'. Well, it's time we do.
Now to 'Kelly Week'. National Nurses Week is celebrated
annually from May 6, also known as National Nurses Day,
through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. My birthday is on May 7, and I will be 29 (or
something with a '9' in it). And of
course, Mothers Day is May 13, and of all of the hats I wear, that's the one I
cherish most.
But I'm changing 'Kelly Week' to 'Strong Women Week' (since it is a made-up week of celebration, I can do that). Thank the Nurses you know for all they do,
show your Mother how much she means to you, and by all means, raise a glass to
my 29-ish years. But also, take the time to say thank you to ALL of the women in your life for just being the amazing people they are. And women, take a minute to see the strength in yourself. Then say it loud:
I AM STRONG.
