Years ago, when I lived and taught in New York City,
I worked in a welfare-to-work program.
For the sake of this story, ignore my anger and disappointment when I realized
The program wasn't going to help women prepare for real job opportunities.
Because the women were adults,
There were plenty of conversations about children and families.
I wore a traditional wedding ring with a diamond band and
My students always wanted to know if I was married.
I would give some corny answer, like, Oh, yeah, to mathematical concepts, but
One day, I decided, enough with this crap, and when someone asked my husband's name, I said,
I have a partner, and her name is 'fill in the feminine name'.
The students were so moved by my 'realness' that
I had the most incredible relationship with them, and maybe I felt different too.
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