When I was a young girl, (perhaps 8 or 9 years of age), my father read me a story about Margaret Mead. It was one of my favorite stories and I loved to read it on my own as well. I thought Margaret Mead was a fantastically interesting person. She was a pioneer in cultural anthropology and also one of the first women to make ground-breaking discoveries on human nature and the power of culture, based on her cultural studies in Samoa and Papua New Guinea.
I couldn’t imagine anything more exciting than to live the lifestyle that she led. She was fearless, intelligent and gutsy. For a woman, to travel around the world and live in a different culture during the late 1920’s, was something that didn’t just happen to everyone. I wanted to be just like her when I grew up.
Margaret Mead taught the value of looking openly and carefully at other cultures to understand the complexities of being human. I think she is a true inspiration and role-model for women of all ages.
This is why I am using Margaret Mead as my opener for a new section of posts titled, “Women Little Girls Should Admire,” in My Several Worlds. I hope there is no need for an explanation.
My Favorite Quotes By Margaret Mead
1. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
2. Anthropology demands the open-mindedness with which one must look and listen, record in astonishment and wonder that which one would not have been able to guess.
3. One of the oldest human needs is having someone to wonder where you are when you don’t come home at night
4. Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.
hey carrie,
just thought i’d drop ya line and say howdy. hope everything is hunky-dory on the road.
are you in canada yet?
everything at work is just as you left it. your kids seem to be taking a liking to chris. i think he is doing pretty well.
jerry just gave queenie a ring…i think nuptials are in their near future! i hope you make it back in time to attend.
i am doing my thing. catherine and i are having a blast. she is a great woman.
take care,
david
p.s. give john a stiff punch in the arm for me.
Hi Carrie,
This is a great post. Needless to say I would like to learn more about Margaret Mead. A women that I enjoyed reading about when I was young was Dian Fossey and more recently Jane Goodall.