women’s rights – Tina Stewart Brakebill

Mighty Isis

November 28, 2025November 28, 2025 Tina Stewart Brakebill

When I saw the word ZEPHYR, I immediately began to chant:

Oh zephyr winds that blow on high

Lift me now so I can fly

If you were in a kid in the mid-1970s United States, then you may remember the brief reign of Mighty Isis. Andrea Thompson was a teacher who (after finding a magic amulet) could transform into Mighty Isis whenever someone needed a rescue. She was (in my humble opinion) the best part of the live-action Saturday morning show, The Shazam/Isis Power Hour (1975-77). Along with the Jaime Sommers / Bionic Woman (1976-78) and Diana Prince / Wonder Woman (1975-79), the mid-1970s gave little girls a set of heroes they could admire and perhaps emulate—assuming they had access to special powers of course. It was a mixed message for sure! (It also was an early Marvel / DC Comic rivalry!)

But I’m glad these independent women (because even without their “superpowers” they were independent women) helped shape my belief in possibilities. It was only a few years prior that our two favorite women with superpowers, Samantha Stephens / Bewitched (1964-72) and Jeanie / I Dream of Jeanie (1965-70) spent all their time hiding their true selves to appease their husband/master’s egos. Only their “wicked” dark-haired cousin / sister got to have any real fun!

So here’s a short verse in honor of some of those 1970s women on TV (including the Mary Tyler Moore Show and Julia of course!!) that helped me believe in my own superpowers!

zephyr winds inspire

as they shatter the ceiling

elevating all

Plus, here’s Isis offering some words of wisdom that (sadly) a lot of people still need to hear!

Isis Speaks the TRUTH

And finally thanks to RDP for the great prompt word!

RDP Friday! Zephyr!

History, Random Rants, tutto e niente

When I was young …

March 4, 2024 Tina Stewart Brakebill

You’re writing your autobiography. What’s your opening sentence?

When I was young I thought we had this shit figured out.

The battle wasn’t over but we had admitted that women are autonomous human creatures … yada yada yada. Sadly, madly, infuriatingly, age has shown me that a whole bunch of people continue to define a woman only as a meat sack that surrounds a baby-making box.

Not just an opening sentence — an opening salvo …

Haiku & Other Poetry, Random Rants, tutto e niente

Advice for the Girl’s Life: Variations on a Theme

July 24, 2022 Tina Stewart Brakebill

Variations on a Theme  

Always say yes even when you mean no 
Never say I won’t when told it’s time to go  

Never raise your voice when told you have no choice
Always choose the right path even when you have no voice 
 
Always stay the course as you walk that chosen path  
Never show the world your barely buried wrath       

Always be you
Never be you

Thanks to Sammi for the inspiration and the word limit (67). It kept me from going on and on and on …..

https://sammiscribbles.wordpress.com/2022/07/23/weekend-writing-prompt-269-variation/

Haiku & Other Poetry, tutto e niente

The Peacock

August 17, 2019January 28, 2020 Tina Stewart Brakebill

Co-work or co-opt?

Feathers spread like a peacock

Mansplaining his theft

blue and green peafowl — Photo by Phani Chandra on Pexels.com

Thanks to Linda and her SoCS challenge.

T’was fun.

Haiku & Other Poetry, Random Rants, tutto e niente

Still She Persists

May 15, 2019January 29, 2020 Tina Stewart Brakebill

the steps rise steeper

as her tomorrows decline

yet still she persists

I saw Helene’s What Do You See Challenge directly after reading the news of yet another infuriating decision to exert control over women. I am struggling to retain hope for a future where (as a woman) I am considered to be a person not merely a vessel to be used then tossed aside. So this is as hopeful as I can get this morning.

And to all those who insist on sticking their business in my uterus, I say …

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