Moi, A Man Hater...I Think Not

Recently, I was accused of being a man hater and that I needed to seek counseling for my problem. To which I replied, "I'm a woman, I like men. If that means I'm not "lady-like", then I guess I'm just not a lady! At least I'm honest." That is actually a quote from a favorite movie of mine, Tombstone.
Josephine said that to Wyatt, because he thought she was different. Wyatt was intrigued by Josephine because she was an independent woman, self-sufficient, exuberant, and full of life. Her happiness and joy came from within herself; and although she made many mistakes, she intended on having a full and complete life without the usual constraints of most women from her time. Josephine was a beautiful woman and did what she had to in order to survive. While some were vexed by her independent, honest and abrupt behavior, others were clearly mesmerized:

"She was a woman who was ornery and frustrating to some but fun loving and thoughtful to others. She exhibited a dependency toward gambling and displayed a habit of wrapping hundred dollar bills in rolls of toilet paper but, despite her oddities, she was a woman with whom Wyatt Earp chose to spend over 47 years."


Josephine is featured in the book, Women of the Western Frontier in Fact, Fiction and Film. She made many mistakes throughout her life, some will even state that she and Wyatt weren't happy all the time, and there are questions of validity of pictures that are supposed to be her, but the gist of it all is this; I am not bound or inhibited by what I am. I will grow to my full human capacity. Every path will be open to me and I will not apologize for my strengths.

Finally, a quote and poem from my favorite author:

"Strong women- precious jewels all- their humanness is evident in their accessibility. We are able to enter into the spirit of these women and rejoice in their warmth and courage."

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou