How My Thoughts on Motherhood and Womanhood Were Formed And What I'm Doing to Change It

A month after my mom died, I flew out to attend BYU-Idaho. I was 18-years-old. I've always been an impressionable person, but during those years I was extremely vulnerable to any messages about womanhood and motherhood. Each message reminded me of my mother and the religion she believed was true. I wanted to honor her life so I clung to anything that was said over the pulpit. Below is a mash-up of what I was hearing. To say that they are damaging and wrong are an understatement. I've spent my 30's reprograming everything I know about motherhood and womanhood. It hasn't been easy, but I'm happier and healthier for doing it. I respect the women in the LDS church who heard the same messages and were able to disregard them. I wish I was one of them. I have empathy for the women who didn't. I was one of them. It is my hope that someday I can help women in suppressed situations get out. It's so much better on the other side! I'm currently filling out applications to get a masters in Social Work. It's videos like these that assure me I'm doing the right thing.


The author, title, and full transcript of each talk seen in this video can be found here.