I don’t know where to begin so I’ll start with thank you. Thank you for sharing the gift of your insight and writing to open us up to being stronger, better advocates for ourselves and all women. At 55, for years I have felt rage and powerlessness. As a gen xer, I have been who I was raised to be. No more. For however long I have left, I will refuse to bow down.
I see you, Emily. I see your strength and courage. I see your struggle.
Thank you for sharing your story and for all you do. Grateful for your work and how it’s encouraging me to find my own voice and speak out.
Completely agree with your essay on Shannen and what you said about social conditioning. I think it’s a cumulative impact from our own experiences being put down and then stories of others and the labels put on them. I remember loving Shannen on 90210 and then years later hearing reports she was “difficult” and admit I believed it without digging deeper or learning more about who profits from that narrative.
Now with more age, experience and learning I know to always question that narrative and that we all have to advocate for ourselves all the time, and especially with our health care. It’s advocating and also working for better more equitable systems in the future. Because we don’t deserve to live this way!!!!
Thank you for sharing as always. Shannen was right around my age, and one of my best friends has been through the torture of breast cancer, double mastectomy, and failed reconstructive surgery. Now she lives with the dread of it coming back, of dying from metastatic cancer, and this icon of our youth dying sure doesn't help.
I'm glad you pushed for your medical care when you had to. I've been labeled difficult in my career as well, deep into a male dominated field. 27 years later and I'm still trying to speak up but not too much, I try to fit in with the guys but I'm never fully accepted. It's the whole America Ferrara speech from Barbie, it's just so stupidly true.
I’ve loved 90210, and Brenda, from the moment I started watching the summer of 1992, which also happened to be the summer before I started 2nd grade. My mother and I have often discussed if I was too young to watch, but ultimately, we always argue that it taught me a lot of invaluable lessons. Perhaps one of the most important is that Brenda wasn’t the bad girl; she wasn’t the bitch; she was strong willed, independent, and not afraid of standing up for what she believed in. Shannon’s death hit me hard. But I’m glad the world is finally standing up, honoring and apologizing for the way she’s been treated all these years.
And this fall, leading into the election, I’m gonna channel my inner Brenda Walsh and fight like fucking hell to save democracy.
Like another commenter when I was younger I remember hearing about Doherty being a 'drama queen' on set. Being older and hearing her side, it's easy to see how she would have gotten there. How standing up to a system that prefers you to smile and be nice gets you labeled difficult. Both in the work force and while trying to obtain medical care.
I wish I had spoken up more in 2016 when people (mostly men) would say negative things about Hilary Clinton. I didn't think I needed to push back on those comments because, after all, who in their right mind would vote for #45? Here we are again, with #45 trying to become #47. We know we have to do all we can to make sure that doesn't happen. I'm quiet no more.
Thank you for being such a strong role model and empowering us with the facts we need to help us speak up and amplify your wisdom. Your voice reaches us and ripples throughout our country and beyond.
Sending positive energy your way. As my brother and I used to say to each other whenever I took him to his chemo and doctor appointments, "F*ck cancer!" "Yeah, f*ck cancer!"
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective and story. Thank you for the inspiration to be radically comfortable being viewed as “difficult”. You’re right. It can be a life saver. Thank you for sharing your story!
My mother's best friend died this week because she was misdiagnosed and ignored for most of a year until they finally found endometrial cancer a month ago that was too advanced for anything but hospice. I'm sad and so angry.
I don’t know where to begin so I’ll start with thank you. Thank you for sharing the gift of your insight and writing to open us up to being stronger, better advocates for ourselves and all women. At 55, for years I have felt rage and powerlessness. As a gen xer, I have been who I was raised to be. No more. For however long I have left, I will refuse to bow down.
I see you, Emily. I see your strength and courage. I see your struggle.
With admiration from Ohio. Elizabeth
Thank you for sharing your story and for all you do. Grateful for your work and how it’s encouraging me to find my own voice and speak out.
Completely agree with your essay on Shannen and what you said about social conditioning. I think it’s a cumulative impact from our own experiences being put down and then stories of others and the labels put on them. I remember loving Shannen on 90210 and then years later hearing reports she was “difficult” and admit I believed it without digging deeper or learning more about who profits from that narrative.
Now with more age, experience and learning I know to always question that narrative and that we all have to advocate for ourselves all the time, and especially with our health care. It’s advocating and also working for better more equitable systems in the future. Because we don’t deserve to live this way!!!!
Well written, resonates so much. Wishing you only the best on your own healing journey.
Thank you for sharing as always. Shannen was right around my age, and one of my best friends has been through the torture of breast cancer, double mastectomy, and failed reconstructive surgery. Now she lives with the dread of it coming back, of dying from metastatic cancer, and this icon of our youth dying sure doesn't help.
I'm glad you pushed for your medical care when you had to. I've been labeled difficult in my career as well, deep into a male dominated field. 27 years later and I'm still trying to speak up but not too much, I try to fit in with the guys but I'm never fully accepted. It's the whole America Ferrara speech from Barbie, it's just so stupidly true.
Thank you for sharing your journey, as difficult as it is. Know that we are all here rooting for you and learning to speak up and stand our ground.
I’ve loved 90210, and Brenda, from the moment I started watching the summer of 1992, which also happened to be the summer before I started 2nd grade. My mother and I have often discussed if I was too young to watch, but ultimately, we always argue that it taught me a lot of invaluable lessons. Perhaps one of the most important is that Brenda wasn’t the bad girl; she wasn’t the bitch; she was strong willed, independent, and not afraid of standing up for what she believed in. Shannon’s death hit me hard. But I’m glad the world is finally standing up, honoring and apologizing for the way she’s been treated all these years.
And this fall, leading into the election, I’m gonna channel my inner Brenda Walsh and fight like fucking hell to save democracy.
Like another commenter when I was younger I remember hearing about Doherty being a 'drama queen' on set. Being older and hearing her side, it's easy to see how she would have gotten there. How standing up to a system that prefers you to smile and be nice gets you labeled difficult. Both in the work force and while trying to obtain medical care.
Thank you for your vulnerability, appreciate your voice and writing so much.
I wish I had spoken up more in 2016 when people (mostly men) would say negative things about Hilary Clinton. I didn't think I needed to push back on those comments because, after all, who in their right mind would vote for #45? Here we are again, with #45 trying to become #47. We know we have to do all we can to make sure that doesn't happen. I'm quiet no more.
Thank you for being such a strong role model and empowering us with the facts we need to help us speak up and amplify your wisdom. Your voice reaches us and ripples throughout our country and beyond.
Sending positive energy your way. As my brother and I used to say to each other whenever I took him to his chemo and doctor appointments, "F*ck cancer!" "Yeah, f*ck cancer!"
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective and story. Thank you for the inspiration to be radically comfortable being viewed as “difficult”. You’re right. It can be a life saver. Thank you for sharing your story!
My mother's best friend died this week because she was misdiagnosed and ignored for most of a year until they finally found endometrial cancer a month ago that was too advanced for anything but hospice. I'm sad and so angry.
Beautiful post. Sending love ❤️