International Women's Day

It's "International Women's Day." As a female who has been so graciously accepted into the very male dominated world of automotive enthusiasts, I am continually thankful for the positive reception I receive when I share a new picture, blog post, or news. I always appreciate the words of support and encouragement, and when the rare unkind comment is posted, I appreciate the constructive criticism. 

I've always aspired to set myself apart from other car girls. I do not want to be recognized for how I look in a bikini or how I can seductively lay across the hood of a Mopar. I want to be recognized for my car and my desire to take rusted up old Mopars and breathe fresh life into them. 

However, I'm far from a feminist. Because of the recognition I get in the auto industry, I think that a lot of people expect me to carry the torch for women's rights, use it to burn down the glass ceiling, and then resurrect, from those ashes, a corner office for everyone woman who ever fought for gender equality. However, that's not me. I don't want to fight for rights that could dilute other important aspects of my life as a female- like some day being a good wife or mother. There have been and will continue to be days where I spend all day at a car show or working with my dad in the garage, only to go inside and whip up dinner. Neither task seems unnatural. I can accidentally smear engine sludge across my forehead, then later I can purposely smear red lipstick across my lips. Again, neither seems unnatural. It's what makes me...me. 

I don't understand why we need special days to celebrate our gender. I'm proud to be a car girl every single day. I'm also insanely proud of how hard I had to work to be taken seriously as a car girl.  When the day comes that I become a stay-at-home-momma, I will be proud as hell of my well behaved, well cared for babies. I'll also be very proud of the home cooked meal on the table when my man gets home every night. And when the kids go to sleep and we sneak out to the garage to wrench on some old Dodge we've been working on, I will smile and be proud that I have discovered the best of both worlds. 

People can fight for equal gender rights, but where is the fun in that? Where is the pride in entitlement? The truth is, I don't want to be equal to men. I don't want to be entitled to the same treatment. Men and women were not created equal, had they been then this argument would have ended at Adam and Eve (or whatever story of human creation you believe in). As a society, why can't we just accept our differences, embrace them, and use our passions to discover just who we are in this crazy society.

I suppose what I'm trying to put forth is that I have enjoyed every moment of working in the automotive industry and, be it professionally or personally, I never felt discriminated against because I never expected a hand out. I never wanted one. I want to earn my place in the columns of muscle car magazines or car club journals, I wanted to earn my place in the winners parade at Chrysler Nats, I wanted to earn the recognition that I've gotten since I began my Miss Mopar page. I wanted to earn the kind comments...and the mean ones. Without working for what I have, it means nothing to me. 

Maybe women need to focus less on celebrating "International Womens Day" and just stop to celebrate their personal achievements. Celebrate what makes you...you- whatever it is. Celebrate what makes you stand out, not fit in. It's a great time to be a woman, not because of how much we make or how many letters are behind our names on our office doors, but because we have the means to follow our hearts desires, and in my case, we are honored to have such unwavering support for the male community. 

To those women who wrench- keep it up, keep making mean street machines and holding your own with the gentlemen. To those men who accept us in this hobby- thanks, I wouldn't want to dedicate my time to anything else! To those who think you can't be a classy woman with old school values AND a woman with bad ass muscle cars...just watch me!