Re: female leaders

[astrid <astrid @RUBY.PLALA.OR.JP>]

Ingrid,
you know that I have even asked you to dance with me instead of a young
handsome guy who I usually like a lot, so you already know where I stand in
regard to your leading skills.
I would like to let you and everyone else know, that in the Fabian Salas
workshop in Tokyo last weekend there very four women too many. Still
everybody got to dance, thanks to the generous cooperation of two ladies who
had meanwhile learned how to lead too. On the 3rd day there were 7 women too
many. One of my friends asked the organiser: "As what did I apply today ? As
a leader again, or as a follower ?" "As a leader", he replied and smiled. I
was so glad to hear that, and to know she would help us out again. And
actually, these women had gotten so good both ways, that I felt, it can be
more fun to dance with skillful female leader, than with a poor male leader.
(For me this is not a matter of course, it is a new realisation after I met
Ingrid at a milonga.)

Astrid

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ingrid Peterson" <georgous1 @HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2001 3:59 PM


> Dear Tango People,
>
> I have a favor to ask all of you. . . One of my friends (female) has
> recently decided to be brave enough to try to learn how to lead.  As a
woman
> who also leads and follows, I support her whole-heartedly but she has
> encountered some unfortunate events which has made her drive to do so
> falter.
>
> I ask all of you to answer some questions.
>
> I want to know what other women think about fellow women learning to lead.
.
> . and if they find it strange to dance with women who lead. . . god knows
> I`ve definatly encountered such an issue.  Remember, we need to help
> eachother and fuel the passion that is known as Argentine Tango!!  I call
on
> women all around the world, if you find yourself in a position where
another
> woman asks you to dance, be willing and helpful and dance with her.
>
> MEN. . . I reckon there are going to be a wide divide between those of you
> who are old school and think that women should not lead at all and those
who
> think nothing of it.  I ask those who disagree with such a thing to be
> patient- maybe there is something you can learn from these women. . .
those
> who do agree, ask these women to lead YOU around the dance floor!!
>
> I have encountered enough to know that everyone is entitled to their
> opinion, but that should not include shutting people out because they are
> trying even HARDER to learn more about such a wonderful dance.  I have to
> say, knowing how to lead and to follow has helped my following technique
> quite a bit. . . also, I find I can help leads to better their technique
and
> they can do the same for me.  PLEASE know that we are just trying to learn
> and that ostrasizing us will not help the situation.
>
> Those of you who read this (men), and think that I have lost my mind, I
> welcome you into my craziness.  I welcome any thoughts on this topic and
> welcome emails where I have to defend myself on this topic.  Bring it on!!
>
> Ingrid.
>
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