Sreya Vavilala
Mr. Baker
Enrichment
October 31st, 2013
Rosemary Mahoney in “Down the Nile” writes:
As I walked out the door, my mom asked me “Rosemary, where are you going?”
“I am going to the construction site mom.” I replied as if nothing were going to happen even though I knew this wasn’t true.
“ROSEMARY, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO THE CONSTRUCTION SITE BECAUSE IF ANYONE SEES YOU THERE, IT WILL BE AN EMBARRASSMENT FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY!” screamed Rosemary’s mother.
I never really listened to my mother’s unfair rules, so I just walked out the door, got on my bike and rode it to the site. There were so many construction workers building and working, architects telling where to put the flooring, the walls, and how the rooms should or shouldn’t look. I was amazed at how much work was being done today. I went up to one of the architects and showed him my sketches. “Here are my plans for the next house.” I plainly stated.
Without looking at my sketches, he says “What are you doing here? You have no business here as a girl.”
Knowing there was no point in fighting with the architect, I left. When I walked through the door, my mother snickers at me.
“So Rosemary, did you get the job?” my mother asks sarcastically.
“Why should I tell you when you already know?” I mumbled.
The next day I went to another architect and yet again I was rejected. As days went on I went and met with many architects but all they saw in me was that I was a girl and not as I truly was. Every day I would have to hear my mom asking me, “So Rosemary, did you get the job?”
I never gave up though; I knew eventually I find someone who won’t see me as a girl, but as a great architect with great designs. As time passed on…..one afternoon in Detroit, I met with an architect, and he politely said “Hello, how may I help you?”
“I am an architect and I was wondering if you would like to see my sketches and designs of houses.” I asked filled with curiosity to see if at least he will accept me as an architect.
I gave my designs to