Damsels Overcome

Damsels have merit.

In the folktale, Ursula, the Kitchen Princess stands up for what she wants. Our young damsel, loved to cook and spent all her time in the kitchen. Her father, demanding, disagreeable, shows his disappointment with his youngest daughter, who preferred the kitchen and the servants, not an unkind father, the king. Ursula will not concede and runs from the castle. At this time in Europe, the male and the social norms made “her” a victim to patriarch demands. Ursula does accomplish what she desires. A matron, an owner of an inn, helps her improve her skills in cooking gaining esteem. The damsel overcomes her father’s degrading language: “common as the servants.” Luckily, I had a special dad who pushed me to take chances and adventures to save me from living the “damsel in distress.” I saw my friends struggle and comply with the male codes and norms, which were strong in the city populated by the military, old farmers, or mine workers. I attended Colorado University. My education introduced another view of male codes. The damsels in the folklore helped me to overcome male barriers and now grateful for their inspiration.