Man or woman, straight or gay, victim or survivor, pro-life or pro-choice, religious or agnostic, homemaker or work force leader -- it matters not. Almost all women are feminists because wwe all seek equal rights, justice, and want our voices to be heard.
Women have been struggling for equality for over 200 years. Long before we faced the glass ceiling and the health care issues of today, powerful women were going to jail because they wanted birth control to be legal, wanted to vote, and wanted to take on jobs along the men in society. When the women's rights movement rocked the 1970's, our powerful sisters demanded results. With voices strong, loud and resiliant, demands were made and they started being met. It was indeed a man's world, and though in a lesser extent today it still tends to be today, much work remains to be done.
We, as women, are of many different backgrounds. Ethnicity, family, upbringing, creed, education, and ideals diversify us, but we hold a common understanding. This understanding is that we are all sisters, all in for battles as we go through life, but because we all have each other, the fight can be won!
Women face battles in the workplace, from people who believe a women's place is at home, and from a society that makes little girls think that the ideal woman is the unnatural Barbie doll. Women are often saddled with dual responsibilities -- caring for family, providing for a family, maintaining healthy relationships, and are then, all too often hit, with a double-edged sword.
"If she stays at home, she is not industrious."
"If she wants to have a family, she doesn't want to advance herself."
"If she wants a career, she must be a lesbian."
"If she chooses to abort a baby, she's heartless."
"If she's knocked up and not married, she's a slut."
"If she was raped, she was asking for it."
When does our society place the blame on a man? While men are certainly not the roots of all the worlds problems, our society (founded by white anglo-saxon protestant males) finds it necessary to steer clear from lables and media which objectifies them. Women are the target.
Much of these truths that I hold were made even clearer to me through a psychology class taught by Dr. Trish Kaminski. The class, Psychology of Women, brought me to a greater understanding of the struggles we still face as women today. This class offered a large range of topics, and though each week might be disturbing (issue-wise) it also promoted healing through discussion and sharing.
I have also come to learn that so much help is out there. Battered women have places to turn, and breast and ovarian cancer survivors have people that want to help them. Troubled women have women's depression councils to turn to, and more and more, there are places for women who need and want to be rehabilitated. Though our nation and other nations are slowly responding to the needs of 51% of it's population, there are still 3 times more shelters for abandoned pets than troubled women and 1 in every 3 women is raped at some point in her life.
Take some time to check this extensive list out! There is so much out there ...
differing views, differing opinions, but a common respect that sisterhood brings.
It is very encouraging.
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