by Mary Laclair

Created on: November 28, 2008   Last Updated: March 02, 2009

When a man holds the door for a woman, it is not because he thinks her incapable rather it is an expression of honor for women. How sad for woman to discredit this honor. To refuse this act of respect, is in my estimation, only lowering the status of women, thus sabotaging their own efforts.

I am disappointed that too many in the equal rights group have been refusing in this way to accept the very things for which they are fighting: respect and honor.

The liberal feminist assessment of the situation is that the man must be thinking the woman too weak to open a door for herself!

This type of thinking does women a disservice, and sabotages the efforts at gaining recognition for women in general. Lack of information can only be the blame for this improper thinking on behalf of liberal females. Many have acnknowedged that poem below, penned by myself, has helped fill this lack.

It is my hope that those claiming to speak for women's rights will gain new insight into an old American tradition; and the next time a door is held for a 'liberal woman', they will see it as a sign of respect for womanhood, and say a proper "Thank you."

Meaning thank you that by this simple act you daily show respect for womanhood and motherhood.

A gentleman I know asked me for pocket size versions of the following poem to hand to women who chastised him for opening a door. He couldn't get them out of his pocket fast enough.

THE GENTLEMAN'S TOUCH

- Mary A. LaClair

A man tipped his hat to me the other day.

He was a young man. He was in camouflage clothes.

He must have been a southerner -

I'm told that's where gentlemen were bred, once.

He held the door for me. I smiled.

I smiled all day after that.

I'm a young grandmother.

Why did he tip his hat and hold the door for me?

Out of respect, I learned at my mother's knee.

Yes, respect: because the woman through pain

is the life giver.

It is a way, I was told when young,

For the man to silently say,

"I am sorry you have to go through the pain of childbirth -

I acknowledge that I, the stronger, can't take it from you

during that time,

But I will do what I can.

I will show you honor during all of your life,

To let you know that what you do,

Your station as a woman,

Is honorable."

I felt respect that day.

I felt good about that young man.

I felt good about myself.

I smiled all day after that, at everyone I met.

I had a song in my heart,

I asked God to bless that young man

And to make more with manners like his.

[Someone -italics} still raises gentlemen.

A [gentleman - italics] tipped his hat to me the other day.

This poem won several prizes in poetry, including the Presidents Award from ILIAD Press and the National Author's Registry two years running. From the presentation copy with the gold seal, photocopies were made, framed and presented to several women's shelters and counseling centers. Hospital maternity wards are next, and a young friend suggested a copy for high schools.

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