I don't subscribe to the Great Woman or the Great Man theory of historiography. By avoiding the horribly bad behavior of the "Great Men" (especially toward women), it sets them up as a role model for students, without regard to the systems that allowed them to rape, kill, deny work, steal credit, betray, objectify, and worst of all, bolster the patriarchy that allows other men to do the same with impunity.
You are (if you don't mind) a great woman, but not a "Great Woman". There are so many great women on Substack who have educated me, opened my eyes, and helped me become a more compassionate person. That's an important contribution to both me and the Substack community, and it was done by ordinary people, not celebrities or authorities.
One more comment. I can’t think about the Triangle Shirtwaist fire without the image of a man chaining the exit door shut, and not being charged with mass murder. And the systemic attitude that normalized industrial imprisonment. No heroes, but the patriarchy is the villain. I bet all the men escaped.
Yes! While I love reading those inspirational “rah-rah” stories of individual women, in the back of my mind I’m always thinking “yes, but…?? This woman didn’t exist in a vacuum….What’s the context here? The framework? Who else? What changed?”
Thank you for sharing your antidote to Great Woman-centered history.
A wonderful essay. Truth with a touch of anger.
I don't subscribe to the Great Woman or the Great Man theory of historiography. By avoiding the horribly bad behavior of the "Great Men" (especially toward women), it sets them up as a role model for students, without regard to the systems that allowed them to rape, kill, deny work, steal credit, betray, objectify, and worst of all, bolster the patriarchy that allows other men to do the same with impunity.
You are (if you don't mind) a great woman, but not a "Great Woman". There are so many great women on Substack who have educated me, opened my eyes, and helped me become a more compassionate person. That's an important contribution to both me and the Substack community, and it was done by ordinary people, not celebrities or authorities.
Thank you for this and all your work.
One more comment. I can’t think about the Triangle Shirtwaist fire without the image of a man chaining the exit door shut, and not being charged with mass murder. And the systemic attitude that normalized industrial imprisonment. No heroes, but the patriarchy is the villain. I bet all the men escaped.
Yes! While I love reading those inspirational “rah-rah” stories of individual women, in the back of my mind I’m always thinking “yes, but…?? This woman didn’t exist in a vacuum….What’s the context here? The framework? Who else? What changed?”
Thank you for sharing your antidote to Great Woman-centered history.
It seems like a way for the men charge to be proud of her. Can’t have too much on women…best to keep it short! Great article!