Maatz posited that “the goals of feminism were to create social, political and economic independence—allowing women to take full advantage of life opportunities and to express independent opinions and decisions.”
Women make up only 17% of the seats in Congress. Internationally, America is ranked 84th in the number of women serving in the national legislature, lagging behind Afghanistan and Cuba.
Questions from the audience reflected a hunger to examine a wider range of issues. One frustrated attendee prefaced her query with, “Look how much time we’re spending on Sarah Palin, and what does it say with her as a choice?”
Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority, told listeners, “Feminists are everywhere.” She qualified the Democratic platform as “the strongest platform for women’s rights every adopted by a major party in the United States.”
Blogging about Iranian culture and political affairs is how Mina Zand Siegel brings visibility to gender equality. She said, “Women’s issues are very important. I’m adamant about it.” In her posts on “IranWrites” she probes topics ranging from the hejab to her reaction Benazir Bhutto’s assassination.
The July 4th weekend is over, and I am still reflecting on where women are in the political and cultural landscape of America. Abigail Adams didn’t get to sign the Declaration of Independence, Betsy Ross sewed the flag, and how many people even know who Deborah Samson Gannett was?
Red Buttons had a well-tread act that he used at celebrity roasts. The punch line was about all the famous people in history that “never got a dinner.” It was kind of like Rodney Dangerfield complaining that he didn’t get any respect. On the evening of May 21st, women in New York City had the opportunity to come out and support two events that proved achievers of the female gender were getting their due.
"The Jump Rope Line" by Marcia G. Yerman is included in the Seal Press anthology Dancing at the Shame Prom.
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