EqualityQuilt

Much to do about Feminism

I am responding to an article on laterlife.com, entitled Rebranding Feminism in Laterlife.  Being a 22 year-old women in the 21st century, I believe feminism is all about spreading awareness and gaining equal recognition for women in a male dominated society, or perhaps world and making equality the norm instead of something to aspire to for who knows how long.  The feminism I see does not exclude men, it helps educate all the sexes on seeing each other as humans, for one sex cannot change or evolve with out the other.  First and foremost, education on feminism is not taught very well if at all, from a grade school level to a high school level, period. 
Feminism has gotten negative connotations over the years because radical things have taken place, or attitudes that were more focused on than others.  Since we are surrounded by different perspectives in this world, we must keep in mind that many would get scared (men and women) if women started burning their bras.  But that is only one minor example that seems to be the most well known.  This completely creates the entire image of feminism with the help of media and others.  However, if one really does the research and understands that demonstration was symbolic in more than anything, then some understanding among the opposing groups may be found.  Now I do know that there are feminists who hate men, but there are extremists everywhere.  What I see today is quite interesting.

Winter/Spring 2009 Internship

The Minnesota Women's Consortium is accepting resumes for our Winter/Spring 2009 Internship.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The MN Women’s Consortium is looking for an upbeat individual who can assist the organization in its work during the fall months.  Responsibilities include:

• Assisting Consortium staff with special projects such as a the Elder Economic Security project and a women’s health care reform project
• Preparatory fundraising and planning for Celebration 29
• Assist with upcoming Consortium events: Celebration 29, Girls Rock! the Capitol, Presidents on Presidents Day, Women Come to the Capitol, Brown Bag at the Capitol, and an annual spring membership meeting
• Weekly blogging for Equalityquilt.org
• Research topics and issues the Consortium is highlighting for things such as the Women’s Action Plan, Special Newsletter Inserts, or events
• Assist in the development of an in-house email list serve including database management and compiling a bi-weekly calendar for the E-Consortium Notes
• Assist Consortium staff with answering telephones, and general office work as well as any special projects that should arise.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants must have strong commitment to equality for all women and girls. An applicant must be flexible, responsible and willing to take on new projects. Women of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Minnesota Women’s Consortium is willing to work with students and their school to provide the supervision needed for students obtaining credits for the work. The position is not stipend.

HOW TO APPLY:
Send resume and cover letter to Erin Parrish at erin@mnwomen.org.

Pay Equity: We Still Don't Have It

YES YES we will soon have an analysis of the election results and their significance for women - not just the stats on how many women were elected or re-elected (which as Erin points out below is only one dimension of feminist work), but how we are doing on women's issues.  Meanwhile, a colleague sent me a good summary of recent research on pay equity.  Highlights:
* Previous study:  full-time year-round female employees in the U.S. now earn 79% of earnings for their male counterparts - up from 61% in 1978 but still a big gap.
* Previous study (in 2000):  "When symphony orchestras switched to blind auditions - those in which the musicians play behind a screen - women had a significantly better chance of being hired."
* New study on transgender people.  Women who become men (FTMs) earn an average of 1.5% more after the change, while men who become women (MTFs) earn an average of 32% less afterward.  The results were true regardless of whether they were "out" or in same or new jobs. 

Gender Construction

"If the world were run by women, it would be a more peaceful place." "All men want to do is take over countries and wage war." I hear these statements regularly, especially in the latest election. However, the assumption that women are not only peaceful but also better qualified to take care of the country because they are caretakers is sexist. Essentialism, or the idea that women are x,y,z, is sexism.

So why is it that so many women who oppose sexism believe that any woman would make the world a better place? I truly do not believe that somebody is qualified to run the country simply because they are a woman and therefore an experienced caretaker. In addition, just because somebody is a woman does not mean she supports women's equality. I know many men that call themselves feminists and would staunchly protect women's rights better than many women leaders. Yes, those leaders are women but that does not make them feminists. I do not believe that gender should be a qualifiying factor for anything. Gender is constructed; therefore gender can be deconstructed. If gender can be deconstructed what is left underneath the word woman in these instances? A human being who does not support full equality for women.

Society has used gender construction to control women and men for centuries: a woman who speaks her mind is aggressive or a "bitch" and a man who cries is effeminate and somehow less of a man. We begin constructing gender from the time that a child is in the womb. I have seen this among my own friends and family. Upon finding out the baby will be a boy a proud father jovially and loudly declares, "How's my little slugger?," while punching his fists in the air. A proud mother-to-be speaks softly to her soon-to-be little girl saying, "How is mommy's little angel?"

So how do we deconstruct gender?  Stop saying women are this or men are that. Stop forcing children into stereotypical gender roles. Recognize how pop culture, media, and institutions define gender and speak out about it. Go further than speaking out, quit supporting it. If a television show portrays rigid gender roles recognize why it is wrong, tell others why it is wrong, and tell your children why it is wrong. If the media rigidly defines gender write a letter protesting their narrow-mindedness. Finally, be mindful of your words. It is very easy to say women are more peaceful than men, but it is much more difficult to undo the consequences of your words. -Erin Parrish

And now for some gender construction fun:

An End to Poverty

Today is Blog Action Day Against Poverty.  For excellent articles on this topic, see the AAUW blog features on the right hand side, surf down to the list of other blogs and check out the National Elder Economic Security Initiative (Minnesota is a partner - more on that soon!), and visit the website of the Minnesota Commission to End Poverty, now preparing recommendations.   The Pay Equity Coalition of Minnesota also wants you to know that improving women's pay is one of the most promising approaches. - Bonnie

Sexist Commentary is not Amusing

(by Jen Piller - See Jen's previous post) 

Chris Baker, a former Texas radio talk show host, now hosts KTLK 100.3 in Minneapolis.  Baker is one who believes politicians are nothing more than “puppets and gangsters,” no matter the political party affiliation.  However, he supported politicians, Ron Paul and Fred Thompson… Baker has also been making strong sexist commentary, of which I’m sure, from reading his viewpoints on the KTLK website, he sees no issue with it.  He has been saying Obama is being a “little bitch” or a “wuss” and not standing up to Palin (see his original comments), however, Obama has clearly expressed he is running against John McCain, not Sarah Palin.  Also, Baker has called Palin “a smoking-hot chick from Alaska.” Moreover, he said that Palin should have shown some cleavage during the VP debates to distract Biden, or that Baker noticed “a panty line on her.” Now, if one takes away the politics, or political parties, one might find something wrong with those comments.  I am outraged; this is a perfect example of male chauvinism.  And why are women in politics some how on some sort of beauty show???  This is another example of men being in control of women. 

Latinas & Civic Engagement

We were delighted to have a second visit from the dynamic staff of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health. (Click on their name to visit their website.)  They were here for training on civic engagement, offered at Neighborhood House (also known as the Paul & Sheila Wellstone Center for Community Building) on the West Side of St. Paul.  National president Silvia Henriquez explained some new directions.  Minnesota State Senator Patricia Torres Ray and Latinas Association advisory board member Migdalia Loyola both assisted in the training.  Silvia Ontaneda, developer for the Asociacion de la Mujer Latina en Minnesota, helped get the word out to the 75 attendees.   As on their last visit, NLIRH staff presented excellent information and materials, all in Spanish and in a culturally respectful way.   Please feel free to write Silvia O. to stay in touch as the Latinas Association develops.  (And watch this space for a Spanish version of this article.) -Bonnie

  

Dyane & Clint Eastwood

Oh, we've been away from the blog way too long.  But I know you all have been watching the (groan) political ads, been busy with all the post-summer activities, school, and so much more, so I wasn't worried about you being bored.   Here's just one sample of what some of the friends of the Minnesota Women's Consortium have been doing!  Dyane Garvey is a member of Hmong Women Achieving Together and sings in Calliope Women's Chorus - just to prove it's the busiest women who can be counted on for everything.  Besides all that good work, she recently served as a consultant on Hmong language and culture for a Clint Eastwood movie, "Gran Torino."  She says Clint was a pleasure to work with and worked very long days on the set every day.   Thanks for letting us in on the bright lights Dyane!  - Bonnie

P.S. Calliope is singing awesome literary work this fall, like Chief Seattle's moving words that "the earth does not belong to us... we belong to the earth." 

Playboy & Girls Gone Wild

Ariel Levy, author of Female Chauvinist Pigs:  Girls Gone Wild & The Rise of Raunch Culture, discusses Playboy as a woman-owned business.  These important issues will be discussed at the October 1 conference in St. Cloud, "Feminist Kaleidoscope: Leadership, Activism, & the Future."  Dr. Beth Berila will lead a workshop on this topic, and we hear she will be bringing her 30 students with her for their 2:00 class session.  Don't miss this chance for an inter-generational conversation along with the real college women!  Issues around body image and appearance were the most hotly discussed topics at the Consortium's "Generations" meeting two years ago.  Many younger women defend their right to "look sexy," and many older women worry about possible consequences.   For more conference info, write me!  -- Bonnie.   

Final Feminist Film Fest Sneak Peak

Celebrate Women's Equality Day with a whole week of feminist films!

On Monday, August 25 the Minnesota Women's Consortium will show Like Water for Chocolate (R - 105 min.) as part of our annual Feminist Film Fest.

Based on the best-selling novel by Laura Esquival, Like Water for Chocolate is the story of Tita, the youngest of three daughters born to a traditional Mexican family. Tita is bound by tradition to remain unmarried while caring for her aging mother. However, Tita falls in love with a young man named Pedro. While Pedro returns her affection, her family's disapproval leads him to marry Tita's elder sister. Tita’s brutal disappointment and sadness are so intense that it infects her cooking allowing all who eat it to experience her heartbreak. Her newly discovered power continues to manifest itself after her sister's wedding, as Tita and Pedro, embark on a secret affair.

The Feminist Film Festival schedule is as follows:

• Monday, August 25: Like Water for Chocolate (R - 105 min.)
• Tuesday, August 26: Persepolis (PG-13 - 95 min.)
• Wednesday, August 27: House of the Flying Daggers (PG13 - 119 min.)
• Thursday, August 28: Whalerider (PG-13 - 101 min.)
• Friday, August 29: But I'm a Cheerleader (R - 85 min.)

Join us at 11:30 AM at the Minnesota Women's Building, 550 Rice Street, Saint Paul for popcorn, movies and fun! A brief discussion will follow all movies. Free and open to the public. RSVP to Erin.

Feminist Film Fest Sneak Peak #4

On Tuesday, August 26 the Minnesota Women's Consortium will show Persepolis (PG13 - 95 min.) as part of our annual Feminist Film Fest.

Persepolis is the story of a young girl coming-of-age in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. It is through the eyes of outspoken nine-year-old Marjane that we see hopes dashed as fundamentalists take power forcing the veil on women and imprisoning thousands. Clever and fearless she outsmarts the "social guardians" and discovers punk, ABBA, and Iron Maiden. As she gets older Marjane's boldness causes her parents to worry over her continued safety. At age fourteen, they make the difficult decision to send her to school in Austria. Vulnerable and alone in a strange land she endures the typical ordeals of a teenager. In addition, Marjane has to combat being equated with the religious fundamentalism and extremism she fled her country to escape. Over time she gains acceptance and experiences love but after high school she finds herself alone and horribly homesick. Though it means putting on the veil and living in what she sees as a tyrannical society, Marjane decides to return to Iran to be close to her family. After a difficult period of adjustment, she enters art school and marries while continuing to speak out against the hypocrisy she witnesses. At age 24, she realizes that while she is deeply Iranian she cannot live in Iran. She then makes the heartbreaking decision to leave her homeland for France optimistic about her future shaped by her past.

Join us at 11:30 AM at the Minnesota Women's Building, 550 Rice Street, Saint Paul for popcorn, movies and fun! A brief discussion will follow all movies. Free and open to the public. RSVP to Erin.

View the full line-up of the Feminist Film Fest and visit the blog every Friday for a sneak preview of each movie.

 

Focusing In On American Indian Women Leaders

Many of you may have seen the recent article in the Minnesota Women's Press profiling Minnesota American Indian women leaders. Examining the leadership paths of Melanie Benjamin (chief executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) and Karen Diver (head of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), the article addresses the challenges of tribal leadership and how these women may lead differently than their male counterparts. While the article does an excellent job of providing a more in-depth look at Indian women leadership, in the words of the leaders themselves, it is not alone in shedding light onto the importance of American Indian women leaders.

WEWIN (Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations) recently held its fourth annual conference, "Power of One is a Strength of Our Nation," at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN. Dedicated to providing American Indian women leaders with the necessary resources for positive leadership development, WEWIN has been working for years to empower American Indian women through a mutually supportive network. With the Minnesota Women's Consortium and Community Shares as participants, the conference included workshops on a variety of issues effecting American Indian communities and their leaders, as well as those geared towards practical leadership development. Also featured at the conference (hosted by Melanie Benjamin) was a keynote speech by former Oglala Sioux tribal president and a founding board member of WEWIN, Cecilia Fire Thunder (pictured). Speaking on "Leadership Committed to Positive Change--The Power of One," Thunder touched her audience with her thoughtful commentary, while infusing her speech with a well-honed wit that added a light-hearted touch to her insightful speech.

So what is the point of highlighting this recent advocacy by and for American Indian women leaders? Simply to illustrate that Indian women leaders are here, they are powerful, and they are committed to supporting each other through the challenges and triumphs of tribal leadership.

Women & Welfare

The brilliant Bharti Wahi, who has just departed the Minnesota Women's Consortium for time with her family and new adventures, might not catch me reproducing her speech on this vital topic for the "Women On Wednesday" series at St. Cloud State University Women's Center awhile ago.  (She's shy about stuff like this.)  - Bonnie

Feminist Film Fest Sneak Peak #3

On Wednesday, August 27 the Minnesota Women's Consortium will show House of the Flying Daggers (PG13 - 119 min.) as part of our annual Feminist Film Fest.

In Ninth Century China Tang Dynasty is in decline and unrest is spreading throughout the land. A rebel army, the “House of Flying Daggers” is the hated rivals of local deputies. Under new leadership, the House of Flying Daggers grows powerful and two local captains, Leo and Jin, are ordered to capture the new leader within ten days. Captain Leo suspects that Mei, a dancer at the local Peony Pavilion, is the daughter of the old leader. He plans to arrest her and bring her in for questioning. But when Mei refuses to divulge any information on the House of Flying Daggers, the two captains conspire to deceive her. Captain Jin pretends to be a lone warrior and rescues Mei from prison, earning her trust and escorting her to the secret headquarters of the House of Flying Daggers. The plan seems to be working, but a few surprises lie ahead for Captain Leo and Captain Jin.

Join us at 11:30 AM at the Minnesota Women's Building, 550 Rice Street, Saint Paul for popcorn, movies and fun! A brief discussion will follow all movies. Free and open to the public. RSVP to Erin.

View the full line-up of the Feminist Film Fest and visit the blog every Friday for a sneak preview of each movie.

It is 859AD, and the Tang Dynasty, one of the most enlightened empires in Chinese history at its height, is in decline. The Emperor is incompetent and the government is corrupt. Unrest is spreading throughout the land, and many rebel armies are forming in protest. The largest, and m

Film Fest Sneak Peak

On Thursday, August 28 the Minnesota Women's Consortium will show the movie Whalerider (PG13 - 101 min.) as part of our annual Feminist Film Fest. Whalerider is the story of Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, who believes she is destined to be the new chief. However, her grandfather is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves her grandfather, but she must fight him and years of tradition to fulfill her destiny.

Join us at 11:30 AM at the Minnesota Women's Building, 550 Rice Street, Saint Paul for popcorn, movies and fun! A brief discussion will follow all movies. Free and open to the public. RSVP to Erin.

View the full line-up of the Feminist Film Fest and visit the blog every Friday for a sneak preview of each movie.

We are so glamorous

The 28th annual meeting of the Minnesota Women's Consortium was a warm encounter with inspiring thoughts about "Life in the Borderlands" of gender, race, and affectional preference intersections in academia and everywhere by Dr. Rusty Barcelo, University of Minnesota Vice President and Vice Provost for Equity & Diversity.  Allison wrote a great summary in a recent issue of the Capitol Bulletin - oh no, you don't receive this magnificent biweekly women's digest on Minnesota feminism?  You can subscribe today for only $40 per year by clicking here - and let us know in the comments section if you want to receive it via lovely fuchsia colored hard copy or via email.  Meanwhile, check out the photo album over on the right.  Thanks to Erin for taking photos and to Julia for compiling the album!  -Bonnie  (P.S. I see there's something wrong with the camera - it has somehow added many pounds in each photo of me...)

Intern with Us, We're Fun!

We are currently seeking an intern for the Fall 2008 semester. The job description is as follows:

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:  The MN Women’s Consortium is a coalition of a 170+ women’s groups around the state working for women’s equality and justice. The work of the Consortium is to connect and inform these groups as well as individual women to each other. 

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The MN Women’s Consortium is looking for an upbeat individual who can assist the organization in its work during the fall months. Responsibilities include:

•    Assisting Consortium staff with special projects such as a Greater Minnesota Women’s Conference in St. Cloud on October 1, 2008, the Elder Economic Security project, and a healthcare reform project
•    Preparatory fundraising and planning for Celebration 29
•    Assist with upcoming Consortium events
•    Weekly blogging for Eqaulityquilt.org
•    Research topics and issues the Consortium is highlighting for things such as the Women’s Action Plan, Special Newsletter Inserts, or events
•    Assist in the development of an in-house email list serve
•    Assist Consortium staff with answering telephones, and general office work as well as any special projects that should arise.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants must have strong commitment to equality for all women and girls. An applicant must be flexible, responsible and willing to take on new projects. Spanish speaking skills are desirable but not required. Availability on Wednesday mornings is preferred but not required. Women of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Minnesota Women’s Consortium is willing to work with students and their school to provide the supervision needed for students obtaining credits for the work. 10 - 15 hours a week. The position is not stipend.

HOW TO APPLY:
Send resume and cover letter by August 15, 2008 to Erin. Resumes received after August 15 will not be considered.

Standing Up for Choice

This morning NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota hosted a press conference along with the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault and several legislators to call on Governor Tim Pawlenty to "stop action on a draft regulation that could undermine a state law that requires hospitals to provide emergency contraception in the emergency room to rape survivors." According to a July 15th article in the New York Times on the new regulation, "The Bush administration wants to require all recipients of aid under federal health programs to certify that they will not refuse to hire nurses and other providers who object to abortion and even certain types of birth control."

Linnea House, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota, stated that "The proposed regulation, which confuses the definitions of abortion and birth control, would allow health-care corporations to refuse to provide many commonly used forms of birth control, including emergency contraception that Minnesota hospitals are currently required to provide to rape survivors who request it in the emergency room." The regulation challenges a 2007 Minnesota law, passed by the Minnesota Legislature with overwhelming support, that guarantees rape and sexual assault survivors access to and information about emergency contraception in hospital emergency rooms.

Feminist Film Fest Movie Line Up

The Minnesota Women's Consortium is proud to announce the movie line up for our 2008 Feminist Film Fest in honor of Women's Equality Day. The line up is as follows:

Monday, August 25- Like Water for Chocolate (R - 105 min.)
Tuesday, August 26- Persepolis (PG - 95 min.)
Wednesday, August 27- House of the Flying Daggers (PG13 - 101 min.)
Thursday, August 28- Whalerider (PG13 - 101 min.)
Friday, August 29- But I'm a Cheerleader (R - 85 min.)

Join us at 11:30 AM at the Minnesota Women's Building, 550 Rice Street, Saint Paul for popcorn, movies and fun! A brief discussion will follow all movies. Free and open to the public. RSVP to Erin.

Visit the blog every Friday for a sneak preview of each movie, beginning with But I'm a Cheerleader.

Voices for Change

Have you ever met with a policymaker and felt like they did all of the talking and none of the listening? Have legislative staff given you the runaround, essentially preventing you from having a constructive meeting with a legislator? Isn't that just SO FRUSTRATING? As many of us have experienced, it can be a difficult and aggravating process to try and make women's voices heard in the political process, particularly in terms of meeting face-to-face with politicians. For several years the Consortium has had an annual event called "Presidents on President's Day," in which presidents from our member groups meet with Minnesota legislators to present their issue agendas for the coming year and discuss concerns they have with Minnesota politics. Although this meeting has come to be an event that we look forward to every year, some of these same frustrations continually surface year after year. Many other women organizers have experienced this same frustration, leading four such women to create a book that gives women from across the country the chance to express what they hope for women's future. Entitled "Voices for Change: Women's Words to Politicians," (edited by Donna Stringer, Barbara Grant, Karen DeNinno, & Shanah Walters) the book includes commentary by women from almost every state in the country (the book is available to order on Amazon.com--be sure to check out Bonnie's submission on page 99). In the prologue, editor Barbara Grant relates her own experience with obstacles to a face-to-face meeting with Senator Hillary Clinton. Here is Barbara's story, in her own words:

Prologue: How This Book Came To Be…
By Barbara Grant

In May of 2006, a group of women traveled to Washington, DC, to meet with Senator Hillary Clinton in order to discuss issues of importance to women across the country. Two steering committee members for this project were among that group of women. The timing of the trip corresponded with a national heated debate on immigration and hearings on a related bill on the Senate floor.

The experience of those few days in Washington left us with an indelible impression of how challenging it is for women’s voices, first, to be heard, and subsequently, to have influence in the political process. The obstacles we faced in the process of meeting with an influential Senator, who was interested in having the conversation, were legion. The intent of the organizer was to bring together a group of women who were not political “insiders” and who would be able and willing to speak about a diverse array of issues important to women, so a key challenge was to transcend the first level of relationships with people already in a connected circle, and to locate women from different sectors, areas, and walks of life. The next hurdle was to find women who were able to afford the expense of the trip, or who were willing to underwrite the expense for others. In the end we were well aware that regardless of our efforts, there was still a filter against women who cannot cross those barriers due to family, work obligations, or lack of financial resources.