In One Ear And Out The Other

A biography of Antonia Brico.  Antonia was a female born in 1902 and died in 1989.  She wanted to be a conductor of Orchestras.  It was not allowed for women to hold such positions.  Yet, that did not stop her from trying.  Every time she was told “women can’t do that” she let it go “in one ear and out the other.”

Another person most of us have never heard of.  Another female being told no. No matter how great she was at conducting.  Another person denied for being female.  Another female lost to history, for most of us. If not for a book.  If not for libraries.

The cover art is what made the book stand out. Presentation matters.  It is cute and complex.  The artist making simple choices with her lines, yet complex with details.  This is a “kids’ book” that taught an adult male about a person not widely known.  A father that wants his daughter to have better choices. A father that wants his daughter to have stories to relate to.  One day stories to tell. A father that wants his daughter to not be held back because she is not male. This book educated that father on a person that stood-up to those norms.

This book puts a person’s story in the parenting pack.  A story to tell one day when needed.  A story to inspire and encourage.  A story of someone who did not listen when she was told “no”.  Not because of her character.  Not because of her talents. Not because she was not qualified. Because men decided a female was not capable. Was not able.  And she let that all go in one ear and out the other.

Just as Antonia can inspire future generations, she was inspired by others before her.  We will never understand our impact.  Most of us are going through our day from wake-up to sleep.  Never thinking about or realizing the true ramifications of our actions. 

Think about the impact you could be or may be having on a person’s day.  Spend a day thinking, “What I do next could change this person’s life for the better.”  A kind word, a gesture like holding open a door.  This could be especially important now.  We have been disconnected for so long.  Many are still concerned about physical connection.  If you cannot touch a person physically, find a way to reach their heart or mind.

Antonia was not acting in any way other than wanting to conduct an orchestra. She was qualified to conduct but was not allowed to because of her gender.  Regardless of her skill, it meant little to the men guarding the gates.  She was not doing what she was doing to inspire others.  To get a documentary made about her (which there was), or a book written about her.  She was following her heart.  She was following her passions.  She had a focus and a passion guiding her.  Ones that allowed her to let the ignorance of man in one ear and out the other.

That was one of her many gifts to the world.  An injustice that did not stop her.  It was not meant to be a gift.  She was not trying to do anything but conduct an orchestra.  Maybe, that is lesson two.  Follow your heart.  Push against ignorance.  Do not try to take down a system for the good of all.  Try and be the one that gets through for you.  Once one gets through, another learns it is possible.  The encouragement they need to be next.

In One Ear & Out the Other—<br/>Antonia Brico & Her Amazingly Musical Life — Penny Candy Books

Diane Worthey – CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR

Posted. Not Perfect.

A Vegan Father navigation a non-vegan world.