Feminism | Posted by Meggan Watterson on 04/1/2013
A More Meaty Mary
I would always hesitate before opening the door to St. Elizabeth’s Infant Hospital because once inside, the rest of the world would cease to exist. Nothing else could compete with the presence I met once I entered. St. E’s, a Catholic Charities organization in San Francisco, was a place of mother’s milk and indigestible pain, a place for the excluded—the controversial population of pregnant teens and teen moms.
An icon of the Virgin Mary was perched on top of the refrigerator in the staff lounge. Her four-foot plastic frame was so light that she teetered every time a child-care counselor or Sister of Charity opened the refrigerator door to retrieve their lunch from inside.
She was the “classic Virgin,” I was told—the Mary most readily found in small enclaves in …
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Feminism | Posted by Julie Z on 03/30/2013
Saturday Vids: Women’s History Month
Women’s history month is coming to an end, but here’s a reminder that, really, every month is a good time for women’s history.
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Feminism | Posted by Brianna B on 03/29/2013
Pink Or Blue: It’s Up To You
“It’s a boy.” My soon-to-be father beamed.
“How do you know?” My young, twenty-two year old mother asked, rubbing her growing belly.
“I just know,” he stated so full of confidence in his twenty-three years of wisdom. My naïve mother nodded, and just like that began the preparation for her son, her soon to be born baby boy. The nursery was painted a pale shade of blue and every outfit perfectly complemented the decor. Brandon Joseph would have an abundance of teddy bears, plush footballs, and a wardrobe in green, yellow, and blue hues.
Needless to say, my parents were shocked upon my arrival into the world. The confusion over the reveal of my gender was only further complicated by rapidly deteriorating health. Born an unnatural shade of purple and …
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Feminism | Posted by Joelle M on 03/13/2013
I Don’t Know How I Feel About My Body
I was getting ready for my birthday dinner. I was wearing my new favorite dress, with a sort of waffle-velvet thing going on, which was sleeveless and beautiful. As I put on my tiara (because, you know- I’m a princess), I noticed that between my arm and my dress, there was this sliver of flesh- some sideboob- that was absolutely disgusting.
When I thought this to myself, I was shocked. I generally love my body, because it can run, jump, feel pain, feel pleasure. It works for me, and our love is mutual. Most days, my body is my temple. I know that I am lovely. All 155 lbs. of it, size 6 or 8. My body is perfect. I am beautiful. I love my hair. Feminism has worked in …
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Feminism, Pop-Culture | Posted by mbond on 03/1/2013
Sexism On Late Night TV: Even Jimmy Fallon Isn’t Immune
Jimmy Fallon is charming, enthusiastic, and totally non-controversial. Ask any fan or casual “Late Night” viewer, and you’ll hear things like, “Yeah, he seems like a really nice guy.” Recently, however, Fallon was also the conduit for Artie Lange (a washed-up comedian and self-identified “G-List” celebrity) to spew sexism and to promote ogling and objectifying women as a vehicle for male bonding.
A quick summary: On Fallon’s February 18th show, Lange shared a story of meeting NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown at a celebrity football game. Rather than playing in the game, Lange and Brown both sat on the bench and occupied themselves by “staring Kate Upton’s ass.” Upton is a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, and she was wearing “real tight pants” that day, by Lange’s account. During the …
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Feminism | Posted by Mansi K on 02/13/2013
I’m Not Sorry I’m A Girl. I’m Sorry You Care.
How are you supposed to feel the first time you realize your grandparents wish you had been born a boy? I’m still not sure. I do know, however, that if my paternal grandparents had the option to transfer my identity into a body with a penis, they would gladly capitalize on the opportunity. I, the oldest child, should have been born a boy. When I came out penis-less, this hope was transferred to my younger sibling. Well, exactly 4.5 years later, my mother disappointed again. And that was it; my parents didn’t want more children.
I have never doubted the fact that my grandparents love me. But every time I remember that I am worth even a little bit less because I have breasts or because I will not carry …
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Pop-Culture | Posted by Julie Z on 02/9/2013
Saturday Vids: Karen B. K. Chan Wins Sex Education
This video is the kind of honest talk about sex that should be taught in high school. Karen and The Sex Ed Project win.
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Feminism | Posted by Becka W on 02/6/2013
Four Things Every Young Feminist Needs To Know About Title IX
Today is National Girls & Women in Sports Day, which has people singing the praises of Title IX from soccer fields, softball diamonds, tracks, pools and countless other sporting venues – and for good reason! Title IX is an enormously important law for female athletes – no other law has done more to open doors for women and girls in athletics. While there is still work to be done, the progress we have made thanks to Title IX is tremendous.
But what many people don’t know is that the benefits and protections of Title IX aren’t limited to athletics. Here are four other ways Title IX is there for young women (and men, too):
- Equal Opportunities in career and technical programs in traditionally male-dominated fields
Title IX requires …
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