Stilettos, not ships or ceiling wax
…women of the world unite
Today’s Zoom call will be with a renowned, keynote speaker, Boaz. Here’s the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84871603703 Shift your attitude!
Stilletos.
This topic has been stuck in my head since January of 2021 when President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were inaugurated and took their time-honored stroll down Pennsylvania Avenue from the U.S. Capitol after their swearing in ceremony.
The subject felt frivolous to mention in the swirl of policy sludge, but here goes.
Who in the world thought it was a good idea for Harris to walk along Pennsylvania Avenue in high, high, heels? And why does former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, walk around in stilettos, too? And on and on.
It made some sense that First Lady Melania Trump wore spiked high heels, as that sartorial choice was on-brand, as they say.
But Kamala Harris? A former District Attorney of San Francisco, the Attorney General of California, United States Senator, and now Vice President of the United States? There she was, on the occasion of becoming the first woman to hold the office of Vice President, wearing high heals while making her historic walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. I thought: C’mon, and felt a sliver of disappointment, in an otherwise triumphant celebration.
Harris had worn sneakers on the campaign trail, and a few reporters found this newsworthy. There was a story in Vogue and it was a topic on a podcast dedicated to the history of sneakers. Yep, there’s a podcast for a lot of niches one might not have considered interesting. My friend and colleague, Robert Leonard, knows of a guy in southern Iowa who has a podcast about bourbon and he has thousands of subscribers around the world. I digress, but bourbon makes more sense to me than stilettos.
I’ve avoided tackling this topic to date. Of course, our planet is in peril, as are human rights and fundamental liberties, but so are our backs.
In a post-inauguration Zoom call with three women friends - well-read, brilliant, issue-oriented, and sometimes serious professional women - the topic of shoes came up. And we realized we had all noticed and been appalled by the spiked heels these otherwise smart women were wearing.
I think of that conversation when I look at the shoes I own and never wear. Just looking at a heel makes me wince, knowing the back pain that would ensue if I wore the damned things. But I can’t let them go.
Each heel over 1/2 inch brings back a painful memory. Literally, not figuratively.
So, I asked Chatgpt: Why do women wear stilletos? Ordinarily, the AI wonder spews something out instantly. After three seconds, I thought I’d stumped it. Then it typed:
Women wear stilettos for a variety of reasons, including fashion, style, and personal preference. Stilettos are a type of high-heeled shoe that typically feature a thin, pointed heel that is at least 3 inches in height.
For some women, wearing stilettos can help boost their confidence and make them feel more attractive and feminine. They may also wear them as a way to express their personal style or to complement a particular outfit.
However, it's important to note that wearing high heels, including stilettos, can have negative effects on the body, such as causing foot pain, ankle sprains, and other injuries. Additionally, prolonged wear of high heels can lead to long-term problems like chronic foot and back pain. Therefore, it's important to wear high heels Women wear stilettos for a variety of reasons, including fashion, style, and personal preference. Stilettos are a type of high-heeled shoe that typically feature a thin, pointed heel that is at least 3 inches in height.
For some women, wearing stilettos can help boost their confidence and make them feel more attractive and feminine. They may also wear them as a way to express their personal style or to complement a particular outfit.
However, it's important to note that wearing high heels, including stilettos, can have negative effects on the body, such as causing foot pain, ankle sprains, and other injuries. Additionally, prolonged wear of high heels can lead to long-term problems like chronic foot and back pain. Therefore, it's important to wear high heels in moderation and choose comfortable, supportive shoes for everyday wear.
And this, dear reader, points out the deficiencies of ChatGPT. I don’t think Kamala Harris needs a confidence boost, nor does Nancy Pelosi. ChatGPT probably doesn’t have access to memos written by political consultants or those in the entertainment industry who dictate wardrobe choices that create the narrative that women are more appealing wearing these back-breaking, chiropractor hating/loving, fashion statements.
Saturday morning I facilitated a panel featuring Iowa nonfiction writers as a part of the Des Moines Book Festival. It’s a great event, and anything I can do to support writers and Beaverdale Books, count me in. Audience members asked our panelists questions - Darcy Maulsby, Bill Friedricks, Kirsten Anderson, Beth Hoffman and Auditor Rob Sand - about their approach to writing. I have Beth Hoffman to thank for inspiring today’s commentary.
A question arose about how writers decide what’s noteworthy when they are emerged in researching data, as it can be overwhelming to winnow it down to nuggets of interest.
Beth Hoffman answered, she looks for the emotional flags as she does research and notes when she finds herself surprised about something. She figures if that’s how she responds, others will too.
Well, seeing otherwise smart women wearing stilettos while walking down Pennsylvania Avenue, evoked a feeling of surprise in me.
What about you?
Speaking of Beth Hoffman, she is an extraordinary writer and teacher who will be with us again for the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat this September. Her small-group workshops are popular and game-changing. She has practical advice and is also willing to work with clients beyond the retreat. Her book, Bet the Farm, has won critical acclaim. Deservedly so.
Beth is one of 30+ powerhouse, presenters. If you have EVER thought about writing a memoir, a story, or simply want to improve your holiday newsletter, please consider coming to the retreat. It is a total blast, and will be life-altering. You do not have to be a professional writer to attend, although half of the participants are. The other half are hobbyists who are exploring possibilities. Even if you do not consider yourself a writer, if this appeals to you, come. You’ll be so glad you did.
If you are working on a writing project, are a working journalist, and cannot afford the fee, thanks to paid subscribers to this column we have a limited number of full and partial scholarships available. Let me underscore: we want you to come.
Do you subscribe to the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative roundup? You’ll get an email on Sunday featuring the columnist’s writings from that week. As newspapers cut commentary, these skilled, professionals are stepping into the void. Check it out:
I should add, Charleston has comfortable women's shoes with a bit of a heel. But they are the exception.
I wore Stilettos for years and at the end of every session my feet hurt, a lot, and I would wonder why I thought this was a good idea. I used to hear that any woman who entered a room wearing stilettos would “own” the room. I believed that until I thought if that was the case, I was in the wrong room! I have given all of those puppies away except for a black pair that look a lot like yours, Julie. Otherwise, I reach for Clarks, Naots, or Skechers every single day and my feet are much happier!!