- ContributedTrudy-Ann Bartley, graduate of the Norman Manley Law School.
Janet Silvera, Freelance Writer
THE PICTURE came straight out of a 1950s' television show. The husband enters the house, takes off his hat and while taking off his coat, says "Honey I am Home!" 'Honey' would appear from the kitchen, apron and all, maybe with a drink in her hand, peck him on the cheek and ask "How was your day?" In black and white, of course.
Fast forward to the new millennium. It's not only the colour that has changed... women have now changed their priorities. They now see themselves in a different light, with derived status. They have the ability and the opportunity to call the shots both in and outside of the home.
Meet some of today's brilliant beauties, who are no longer content to just get their 'MRS. Degree' (Get married) and have children.
Their lot is not as easy as it appears, as they have to cope with resentful women, as well as men who would want to make them offers that have nothing to do with desk work.
But, regardless they remain drunk on knowledge, intoxicated with the power and freedom it brings.
Making waves, they will leave the lumpen far in their wake.
Sexy, serious students
REMEMBER THE period when the favourite expression used to describe a pretty woman was, 'Pretty dunce'? They are just as pretty now as before, but their additional attributes are academia and youth, arriving at the doorstep of opportunity with credentials clutched in one hand and their attractiveness in the other.
They are the new, vibrant breed of Jamaican women who have taken up 70 per cent of the seats at the Norman Manley Law School and 60 per cent at the Mona Institute of Business. They outclass the men at the University of the West Indies, Nova University and exhibit leadership qualities in certain work and study groups at the University of Technology.
This really does not account for all the graduate programmes being offered in the country, but does give an idea that our women mean serious business.
The trend at the male-dominated law school shifted in the early 1980s when it became female dominated. At graduation last year 52 females graduated from a batch of 67 students.
"Women don't have any options, the days of women thinking there will be a knight in shining armour to come and take them into the land of opportunity are over and done," said Frances Coke, deputy director of the Mona Institute of Business.
According to Mrs. Coke there is a high level of self-esteem among today's young women. "They are go-getters. In reality, they are ensuring their economic independence," she continued.
About 150 persons graduated last year from Mona Business Intitute and 60 per cent were female.
Reaching for a future that does not involve an 'allowance' from a male partner, females are leaving their gender partners behind.
