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WHISTLE BLOWER | POLITICAL OPINION

The Sky Really Is Falling!

Pshaw! That’ll never happen

Nancy Oglesby
2 min readJul 19, 2024

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woman sits on floor watching child decorate Xmas tree
Left: My daughter/Right: Me at a ridiculously young age! Image Credit: Author’s Collection

When I was in school I had to wear dresses. Pants weren’t allowed, and the dress was to be no higher than two inches above my knees.

When I wanted to take Shop in high school I was laughed out of the Principal’s Office.

When I was 18, employed full-time, making plenty of money working for the United States Army, my father had to cosign for my car.

When I was 19 and got pregnant, there was no choice.

When I was 20 and a single parent, my father had to cosign for my apartment.

When I was 21 I wasn’t hired because married women came with baggage; you know, daycare, sick kids, another pregnancy… a risky hire.

When I was 22 I had to gather enough evidence to divorce my abusive husband: bruises and broken bones. Fun times.

When I was 23 and my boss ogled my breasts as I walked past, or patted me on the ass, I didn’t even blink. I was a risky hire.

Women protested, fought back; we marched in the streets, burned our bras, demanded better pay.

Hard-won gains included bodily autonomy, purchasing power, no-fault divorce, and better pay. Girls were taking…

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Nancy Oglesby
Nancy Oglesby

Written by Nancy Oglesby

I explore life and tell stories! Embracing the world of Drabbles. Publisher of Fiction Shorts, the Challenged, and Another Fucking Publication

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