Writer's View

When I entered the room, everything became silent. 

They turned their heads and stared 

Whispers fled across the room 

Their hands cupping their mouths as they whispered something I can’t seem to understand 

It was December of 1961 and everything that transpired in that moment is still clear to me as day. 

Because a woman never forgets. 

Days have passed and the stares and whispers continued, 

So much so it seemed to have become a habit. 

I didn’t dare talk to anyone, nor did I look up when they stared. 

Walk straight, eyes on the floor, head down. 

A mantra that has been ingrained in my head. 

Months have passed by,  

The memories still so clear as the stars on a beautiful night. 

Because a woman never forgets. 

I was born fearless, strong, independent 

They told me “you’re mistaken!” 

You’re not a man but a woman. 

Years have passed and the staring has stopped. 

The whispers that used to echo the room became hushed tones 

I walked straight, eyes in front of me, head held high 

No one dared to talk to me 

Maybe because of fear? Shock? Astonishment? 

I’m not quite certain. 

But my memory was vivid 

Because a woman never forgets. 

Decades flew by, 

I walked into a room 

No one stared, no one whispered 

They went by their routines as usual. 

I looked around the room  

Some smiled while others gave a wave 

My heart fluttered and I returned them. 

Walk straight, eyes forward, head held high 

Then I saw it, words written ever so boldly 

“We are all humans; therefore, we are all equal”. 

It’s the year 2019 

The memory of that moment so radiant and clear in my head 

Because a woman never forgets.