First, let me say that I am happy to get the perspective of a Nigerian woman. We don't hear enough about African countries in the United States where I live. Africa is on my heart.

Then, you remind me of myself in so many ways. You have spunk as do I. I was raised by a violent misogynist. So, I learned at a fairly early age that I wasn't being treated fairly. What really told me this was when my father told me "We don't talk about what goes on in this house." With that I knew that he knew that he was doing something wrong. No denial on my part ever.

Since I felt this way, I first worked on an oil spill on the river near me. I did this because my father told me that it was man's work and my brother had gotten a job there but I couldn't because women couldn't do it. It was out of spite that I applied and was hired but it was a fun job and I earned good money.

Next, I joined the Navy. Part of this was to see the world. The other part was to do something that would help me to gain mental strength and to get away from my very dysfunctional family. It worked. I did gain strength.

While I was in the Navy, I was in a male dominated rate (job). The ratio was 10 to 1 men to women. I was constantly harassed in numerous ways. From being thought of as someone who could not do my job because I was female to men touching me in unwanted ways or saying derogatory sexual statements to me, it was a difficult situation.

My inner strength helped me a lot. I learned to fight back. I would say anything I could to bother them. I would scream "get your hands off me!" when there was a crowd. I would make every effort to cause them embarrassment or shame. That's what you do to men like that. With one man who constantly harassed me, I noticed that his wife had stopped in to visit with him one day. So, I went right over to them and said "Is this your wife? He has told me so much about you." He knew. He knew that he hadn't and he knew that I could say anything I wanted to his wife. He never bothered me after that. There are many tactics in dealing with this.

I'm older now and retired but if I had a few things that I could tell young women, it would be do not cower to men. Do not let them win in any situation. Be strong. Fight back. You can't be polite with men who want to dominate you. And you can't worry about how you are viewed by them or others. You have to be yourself and know without a doubt that you are the one in the right. Then, be smart. Do whatever it takes. It might take a lot of work but, unfortunately for those of us of our gender, this is the only way to combat this. Know that you are as worthy as any man. Never doubt yourself.

I'm subscribing to you because I can't wait to see what else you will write. Keep that spunk going on.