Bashing of any kind stinks. I’ve been bashed for being a feminist for so many years that I have a little rubber bumper on my head. I’m DEFENSIVE, OK? Wanna make something of it?! So when I first read the promotional materials for a workshop titled Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women, my turn-off-o-meter was tilting toward yuk. I smelled feminist bashing.

“I’m happy to report that the Understanding Men 101 workshop … is an experience I can add to my list of must do’s.”

The Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women workshop promoters were certain that I would like their work. I was not so sure but I finally decided to attend one of their seminars since I had a passing acquaintance with its founder, Alison Armstrong, many years ago. Besides, I teach gender studies and my mission is to promote gender equality and understanding.

Before I went into their introductory Understanding Men 101 workshop, I’d already prepared my little speech about how I’m sorry but I didn’t like the workshop because anything that puts down the women who worked so hard to make our civil rights a reality is not my cup of tea, blah, blah, blah, and you’re probably not going to like my column about it, yada, yada, yada. Within the first 20 minutes I was involved and inspired.

I’m always on the lookout for experiences in life that teach people to be more authentic and powerful. I’m happy to report that the Understanding Men 101 workshop, as delivered by Armstrong, is an experience I can add to my list of must do’s. It’s only three hours and was worth every minute. They have other workshops that take a weekend to complete.

Armstrong is a fun, insightful, warm teacher. It’s simply a pleasure to be around her. She’s passionate about her workshops, their parent company, PAX and its mission: “PAX is passionate about altering our society’s culture by transforming the way women relate to men. We provide extraordinary information with which women can profoundly affect their relationships with men of all ages and in all circumstances.”