The late 1960s was a time of great change for women’s rights. A theme of empowering women and women empowered is deeply woven throughout this episode. Empowerment is defined as a multidimensional social process that helps people gain control over their own lives. It encompasses social, educational, economic, political, and psychological aspects.

Midwives spend much time empowering women during pregnancy, labor, and birth. From finding social resources and providing education to offering psychological support, we do everything within our reach to empower women to withstand the challenges of becoming and being mothers. I like to think that a midwife’s habit of empowering women extends into her community and is an example to inspire others. Sister Veronica certainly did that when she suggested Violet Buckle run for Mayor. Husband Fred continued to empower his wife with his praise and confidence in her.

When Mrs. Wallace discusses her concern about needing more space for their growing congregation, Cyril Robinson was respectful and responsive to his parishioner. Empowered, she took the initiative to find and secure the space needed.

Matthew Aylward encourages Trixie to learn how to drive, even changing to Plan B when Plan A wasn’t working. Fred again steps up. Isn’t he such a gem? With the ability to drive, Trixie’s independence and empowerment will grow.

Edna Bristol needed the whole community to empower herself against the social, political, and economic barriers she faced. With the help and encouragement of Cyril, Shelagh, student midwife Joyce Highland, Sister Veronica, and Violet, the dangerous mold in her home was remediated. She went from feeling shame for having to live the way she did to renaming her son Nicolas. Proudly she declares, “It means victory to the people.”

With the encouragement and friendship of Nancy Corrigan, Sahira Khan gets control of her porphyria and therefore her life. With that empowerment, she feels her own innate strength. That strength helps both her husband and her to empower themselves through their shoe-selling business.

Let’s not forget that female empowerment starts in childhood. Nancy empowers her young daughter, Collette with encouragement and confidence in her ability to learn T.S. Eliot’s, The Naming of Cats. How proud and assured she looks as she perfectly recites the poem in front of her class. Meow!

As this episode closes, we see the student nurses gathering to organize and fight for better hospital staffing of nurses. On the wall, the poster says, “All nurses deserve fair pay.”

As Edna Bristol says about the fight to get safe living conditions, “We had to go to battle.”

Women’s empowerment. The battle continues.