As Laurel Thatcher Ulrich wrote, “Well behaved women seldom make history.” No one knows that better than the 145 incredible women who contributed to Dear Rebel, a collection of essays, poems, self-portraits and more, all directed at young girls who will one day make their mark on the world.
Below, read an excerpt from Dr. Geetha Murali, the CEO of Room to Read.
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Dear Rebel
Dear Ma,
I see you in that wheelchair, eyes calm but slowly moving side to side, seeking understanding. I say, “Ma.” Your hand squeezes mine. Your eyes stop their movement, and I wait for them to land on me.
You say, “Mmm,” as if to acknowledge that you recognize me calling out to you. You then start speaking in jumbled Tamil. Knowing you, I am sure the ideas are incredibly important, but, sadly, I am no longer capable of following your train of thought. I feel lonely and wonder if you also feel that way. I am fortunate that our family and community support me in my loneliness, and my greatest wish is that Alzheimer’s doesn’t keep you from recognizing that you are supported and deeply loved too.
You were 12 years old when you finished high school. People told you that you should marry like your mother and grandmother. You rebelled.
You were too young to find work with your skills, so you learned more—shorthand, French, an instrument called the veena. At night, you did calculus with chalk on cement floors near kerosene lamps. People told you that you should marry like your mother and grandmother. You rebelled.
You landed your first job as a switchboard operator so you could support your family’s small income. You worked on a degree in statistics. With the little money you saved, you collected treasured books as companions. You depended on no one. People told you that you should marry. You rebelled.
You enlisted in the Indian army and trained as a nurse. People told you that you should marry. You rebelled.
You paid for your sisters and brother to go to school. Within your sphere of influence, you did all you could to make their lives better.
You married when you wanted to, learned more, earned a doctorate.
You had me when you wanted to. I don’t know if you remember now, but you taught me to be a rebel. You taught me to live a life of my choosing. Your lessons helped me become the leader of an organization that enables millions of girls to tap into their inner strengths and stay in school, despite the obstacles that stand in their way.
Without you, your sisters and their children might not have known that they have choices. Without you, I definitely wouldn’t have known what I am capable of and what I am intended to do with my time on this Earth. You showed me the power of one person. You showed me the power of education. You showed me the power of rebellion.
Today, I share my letter to you with Rebel Girls around the world so they know they are not alone. Even though you may not recall how you changed my world, I will ensure as many young girls as possible know how they can change theirs.
Your loving daughter and student,
Geetha
Dr. Geetha Murali is the CEO of Room to Read, a leading international organization that transforms the lives of millions of children through education, creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality.
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Dear Rebel
