We got up early this morning, Maria had a lot of work to do to get herself ready for her first public Belly Dancing performance with the Sisters Of The Shawl in Bennington, Vt.

Maria, who never dresses up, had to get into a complex and traditional belly dancing costume. The woman who has never used make-up spent hours last night learning how to do it – I had to rush to the pharmacy to find make-up remover. The woman who never showed her belly in public is about to show her belly in public.

A new chapter for her, Belly Dancing is a political statement in so many ways. Showing their bellies is a metaphor, a signal to the world of pride and confidence. Men are losing their power to define women by how they look.

The Belly Dancing is about women coming together to join with one another in raising their voices to the world. Maria is deeply committed to it, nothing else I know of could have brought her to this in this way.

She left the farm early to meet the other dancers and set up at the farmer’s market in Bennington, Vt., where they will be performing for three hours. I’ll stay away until they get going and then head out to take some photos and hopefully get a video.

It feels good, I am happy for her, and proud of her. I see this as part of her relentless and courageous emancipation, a process that never seems to end for women.

Great luck, Sweetie, I am busting with pride.