Randolph-Macon Woman's College

I just read Danii's livejournal and I feel like I'm going to cry. I was going to post about how I've been busy with lots of good stuff in Wellington and putting off work and how well the semesters going. But this just brought home to me that I wouldn't be the woman who feels confident enough to live in Wellington and do an honour's year and not be freaking out is that way because of Randolph-Macon. I learned how to live as myself to the fullest. There were times that I wanted to yell and when I got hurt because of one or two people, but for every bad experience there was Coulter's class, SFF meetings, anime and buffy nights and just plain being. I loved being surrounded by women who were strong, fun and intelligent and I've learned that its hard to find friends of that quality. I feel very lucky to know them and there are some I wished I'd known better and I wish that I were closer since I could do with a movie night, some good liquor and a ranting and a planning for our school.

In New Zealand, there really aren't all women's universities, but there are lots of single sexed high schools, so no one understands why I would choose to go to someplace like Randolph-Macon and how do I explain that I didn't set out to go to an all woman's school. Its just that RMWC opened its arms wide and I sat in Stiffler's class and learned about westerns and knew that I was home. I had a little trouble convincing my parents but they fell in love with it to. I'm living on the other side of the world studying what I love, pushing my flatmate to read Paradise Lost, roleplaying and learning and being happy and knowing that I don't need a man to be complete. I just need to be myself to the nth degree and the question isn't Can a woman do that?, its What would you like to do? I haven't forgotten that any day and I wear my class ring and confuse anyone I meet with stories of my little school that they've never heard of, because its important.

I know that someday I will have children and I was hoping that I could show my daughter the place where I learned that I can do anything I want. Where I learned to read Greek and how to play hard, work hard and not waste a moment, where I made friends that I miss terribly all the way on the other side of the world in Aoteroa. Guys I'm sorry I'm not there, email me whatever I need to sign or email or phone to change things, I don't want to lose this place and have it only exist in our memories. We have accomplished so much because Randy-Mac said why shouldn't you be able to do that. Sarah, I need your pillow to hit, Danii, I need your wisdom, Sarah Kate, I need your strength. I miss you and I know that going back Randolph-Macon would change, but not this much and there must be a way to change this.

Oh dear, I've let myself loose out here. I'm saying what others have said before and that makes it no less true, so I'll just be one more voice then. Go Odds and Evens!!! And we'll show them how strong the women they created are.