Berta Hammerstein: What women overcome

In 1971, Jack slips behind my chair to whisper obscene sweet-nothings in my ear. Supervisor observes, “Oh, that’s Jack.” Director of a housing nonprofit, our attorney tails me whispering same stuff.

National housing conference, male attendee sitting next to my standing figure grabs my leg; forcibly fought off another male attendee dragging me to his room to “help him change clothes”; escaped to my room where large preacher attendee attempted to push in to “discuss ideas,” apologized next year, explaining he was “going through a divorce.”

Meeting at home, I describe exhausting conference to male colleague, who laughs, blames me. Another colleague furtively kisses my neck as I do dishes.

I achieved assisted housing goals, substantially improving lives of many families.

Now, according to Barry Saunders in his Aug. 8 column “Don’t shut Parker out – hear her out,” syndicated columnist Kathleen Parker purported that my female success has left those guys in emotional nowheresville, and I should help fix them. He’s pulling my leg, sir! Uh, just kidding.

I totally agree, though, that the Elon students should never try to shut Parker out. I’d go see her.

I’ve got a guy situation myself: three sons who have shut their aging parents out for nefarious reasons while three daughters remain close and caring. Parker may know something!

This story was originally published August 19, 2016 at 4:19 PM with the headline "Berta Hammerstein: What women overcome."