Traditions are the guideposts driven deep in our subconscious minds. The most powerful ones are those we can't even describe, aren't even aware of.
Ellen GoodmanRead
The women's movement was always going to work in two parts. With one part, we'd break open the doors that were closed to women, and with the other part, we'd walk through, transforming society for men and women. Turns out it was a lot easier to open the doors.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The women's movement aims to both gain access for women and reshape societal norms for everyone.
Ellen Goodman's quote highlights the dual approach of the women's movement: first, to gain entry into spaces traditionally closed to women, and second, to create a broader societal transformation that benefits all genders. The quote suggests that while it may be easier to achieve the first goal of access, the real challenge lies in the deeper societal change that follows.
Themes
WomenMovementChangeSocietyTransformation
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about gender equality, you might use this quote to emphasize the ongoing work needed for social change.
More from Ellen Goodman
All quotes βThis packrat has learned that what the next generation will value most is not what we owned, but the evidence of who we were and the tales of how we loved. In the end, it's the family stories that are worth the storage.
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Parents remain our touchstones, fellow travelers, even after death. They are both missing and present.
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What do I want to take home from my summer vacation? Time. The wonderful luxury of being at rest. The days when you shut down the mental machinery that keeps life on track and let life simply wander. The days when you stop planning, analyzing, thinking and just are. Summer is my period of grace.
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My father used to say that if a man fools you once, he's a jerk. If he fools you twice, you're a jerk. Only he didn't use the word "jerk."
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