I stood in a room full of women

I stood in a room full of women

              Of all ages, shapes and sizes.

              From all backgrounds, experiences and career choices

              Some mothers, some not, some grandmothers, all lovers.

I stood in a room full of women

              And suddenly a conversation started –

              One that only women can have

              “I had a boss who used to grab my breasts…”

              “A doctor rubbed his privates on my back…”

              “My boss told me that he liked shorter skirts – no more slacks….”

              “I thought he loved me but then his friends joined it…”

I stood in a room full of women

              “Even my friends didn’t believe me – it was my fault because I must have wanted it…”

              “I had been drinking so it was really my fault…”

              “I never told anyone…”

              “I told everyone that I’d fallen off a horse…”

              “I cried for days and not just from the pain of the bruises….”

I stood in a room full of women

              “The police snickered when I tried to report it…I deserved it after all”

              “My supervisor told me I was over reacting and to suck it up (insert snicker here)…”

              “I had to see him every day and the way he looked at me…”

              “I started wearing baggy clothes that covered me head to toe…”

              “My husband still doesn’t know – I’m too ashamed”

I stood in a room full of women.

In 2016 I stood in a room full of women who shared their hurt, their shame, their betrayal. 

In 2016 I stood in a room full of women and we all wondered aloud, how can we make it different for the young women of today?

Have you ever stood in a room full of women and truly heard their pain?

I stood in a room full of women – and my heart broke.