The Old Feminism
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Wednesday, September 03, 2008 8:56 PM
Several years ago, I came across a picture of a current celebrity (Ashley Judd maybe?) wearing a svelte little black t-shirt. Emblazoned across the front, in large white letters, was the following phrase: THIS Is What A Feminist Looks Like.
That evening, all I could think about was that t-shirt. I thought about it while I vacuumed the playroom. I thought about it while I tucked my young sons into bed for the night. I thought about it while I wrote something for publication, and cleaned the kitchen and then had a heart-to-heart with my husband, who had worked late. The more I thought about that t-shirt, the more I realized how much I wanted one! I know what a feminist looks like, I told myself—I am one!
A feminist, I realized, is a woman who is indeed confident enough to be the woman she wants (and needs and is called) to be. For me, on that evening, my definition of feminism was enjoying the freedom to care for my boys and clean my house and do some work on the side. Being a feminist, I realized, was finding the ‘spiritual’ freedom to get beyond caring what the militant feminists think, in order to exercise who I am as a nurturer and life-giver and productive member of society.
So often, the word feminist conjures very negative images (for me, those images often involve pro-choice signs and unshaven legs). Historically, however, feminism has been incredibly positive—the early feminists were strong women who wanted change for all women. They were supportive of causes such as votes for women and education for women.
Early feminists were also overwhelmingly pro-life.
Feminists for Life, one of my favorite pro-life groups, has been getting a lot of press coverage lately—vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin is a member. Have you heard of this group? If not, hop on over and take a look.
You might find that you too are what a feminist looks like!
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