Hi, I am Pamela. I graduated from BYU-Idaho and absolutely loved my time there. I enjoyed most any activity that was offered to me: basketball, Frisbee, activities clubs, country dancing, and leadership positions. At the age of 20, through a BYU-Idaho service club, I was given the opportunity to lead 30 students and two instructors in a week-long service project. The experience changed my life two-fold: it taught me to value the empowerment that comes from leading both males and females, and it taught me to be involved in something service-oriented at all times, as it is extremely fulfilling. About a year later, I married the man I had been in love with since my sophomore year in High School; we consider ourselves extremely blessed as we are happily married with an active little girl.
Two months ago, I decided to take a Mormon sabbatical of sorts and asked my husband to join me; as a strong feminist himself, he obliged. I realized I had to be honest with myself and part of that honesty meant that I could no longer sit in sacrament meeting in the constant gaze of three men on a pedestal metaphorically similar to the way I feel the LDS church is run. I felt undervalued. I felt subservient. I felt unequal.
After reading about the Ordain Women who were turned away from the priesthood session in the news, I felt a surge of empowerment and hope. I quickly posted a news link to my Facebook wall with the caption, “Personally, I admire these women. There is nothing wrong with freedom of speech and protesting; there is nothing wrong with advocating for the rights of women if they feel the need.” My post was quickly wrought with responses from other women who were very much against the protest. The more comments I read from women fighting against their ability to be equal, the more I realized Ordain Women’s actions were not only brave, they were necessary.
I love my LDS family and friends. I respect them and their unwavering faith. Generally, I do not feel LDS men treat women poorly. I, in fact, admire their constant love and service. I just believe that a church lead by God, who created both Adam and Eve in his image as equal partners, needs to permit full equality. Yes, I believe women should be ordained.