Katherine Hepburn~ Never complain. Never explain.

Today’s Icon is of course Katherine Hepburn. Why you ask? Katherine Hepburn celebrated November 8^th as her birthday in memoriam of the death of her older and beloved brother Tom. In actuality she was born May 12^th, 1907.

Her independent lifestyle and spirited personality made her a cultural Icon. She helped change the perception of women over the course of the 20^th century. She was fearless, though many thought her arrogant and abnormal. I say Praise be to abnormal!

Instilled with the virtues of perseverance, independence and fortitude she learned from her feminist mother that women were equal to men. In her youth she was a tomboy, cutting her hair short and referring to herself as Jimmy.

With her Father’s words in her head “if you want to get something – don’t write, don’t telephone, be there yourself” Hepburn went to visit a friend Edwin Knopf who cast her in The Czarina. Her acting career was born.

Fiercely private, strong willed on and off screen. Like Chanel, another pioneer woman wearing trousers. A radical thought of the times. She was known for her mind and intellect not sexual appeal.

Modern, Independent, beautiful….Hepburn

“I never realized until lately that women were supposed to be the inferior sex.”

“I like the idea of being my own single self.”

On Motherhood:

“Only when a woman decides not to have children, can a woman live like a man. That’s what I’ve done”

“Being a housewife and a mother is the biggest job in the world, but if it doesn’t interest you, don’t do it – I would have made a terrible mother.”

We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers – but never blame yourself. It’s never your fault. But it’s always your fault, because if you wanted to change you’re the one who has got to change.

On relationships:

“Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then.”

“Marriage is a series of desperate arguments people feel passionately about.”

“If you want to give up the admiration of thousands of men for the distain of one, go ahead, get married.”

“If you want to sacrifice the admiration of many men for the criticism of one, go ahead, get married.”

If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased.”

“Why slap them on the wrist with feather when you can belt them over the head with a sledgehammer.”

“I think most of the people involved in any art always secretly wonder whether they are really there because they’re good or there because they’re lucky.”