The visible woman
The visible woman is the one who is invisible she feels the less she acknowledges her gender the less it will intervene but she who cannot be seen cannot be acknowledged and she who can be seen is not judged for her knowledge she works double the hours double the shifts double her counterparts double despite her gifts Her work raises the bar, she's seen as the gold standard the only grade she fails is to succeed the double standard For twice the work, she sees half the pay, and when she raises the issue and shares how she feels well, she’s no longer visible, because ‘she’s had her say’ But one doesn’t need eyes to listen, and one doesn’t need eyes to be seen, for she who cannot be seen, can still be heard. and when you speak, I'm here to believe your word.
There have been so many instances where I’ve wanted to share this poem but shied away because of judgement, pushback, or other repercussions to my career. So sharing now, just because I want to!