Letter: Strength is found in equality and collaboration

I am writing as an 88-year-old woman who has spent a lifetime observing, learning, and, in recent years, speaking more openly about what I see.

It seems clear to me that our society, like much of the world, has been shaped by patriarchal influences—systems where power, leadership, and decision-making have largely rested in male hands. While progress has certainly been made, I believe we are still living with the effects of that imbalance.

I do not write this to place blame, nor to suggest that one group should looko replace another in dominance. Rather, I write with hope for something better: a more balanced and healthier society rooted in partnership.

In my experience, true strength is not found in control, but in collaboration. It is found when we listen to one another with what I like to call “the ear of the heart.” It is found when both women and men are equally valued—not only for their productivity, but for their humanity, their compassion, and their wisdom.

A balanced society would mean shared leadership, shared responsibility, and mutual respect. It would mean recognizing that caregiving is as valuable as competition, that empathy is as important as authority, and that no one voice should outweigh another simply because of tradition.

I believe each of us has a role to play in creating this balance. We can begin in our own homes, our communities, and our conversations—by listening more deeply, questioning long-held assumptions, and encouraging one another to grow.

At this stage in my life, I have come to believe that our greatest opportunity is not to win against one another, but to learn how to work together in trust. If we can do that, we may yet create a future that is not only more just, but more peaceful—for our children, our country, and our world.

With hope,

Mary Lee Hillenbrand
Ferdinand