In the spirit of women’s history month I’m going to discuss one more throwback issue: The National Equal Rights Party of 1884. Ever heard of it? Yeah, me neither. That is, until my history of women’s suffrage class this semester. Apparently Geraldine Ferraro, Hillary Clinton, and Sarah Palin weren’t the first females to be taken seriously in a U.S. Presidential election.
This was the first woman to run for U.S. president...
M.J. Gage, Lizzy Stanton, and Suzie Anthony all supported this party, as did the rest of the suffragists. Presidential candidate Belva A. Lockwood and Vice Presidential candidate Marietta Stow were involved in the first serious national campaign that included women.
It bothers me that I was 19-years-old when I learned this crucial part of American history. It bothers me that it’s not public knowledge and universally known. I wish I was wrong, and I wish more people were aware of this historical moment, but they’re not. I’d like to know why this is something conveniently left out of mainstream curriculum?
I am especially perturbed that this valuable piece of information was not brought to my attention, or anyone else’s for that matter, during the Presidential election of 2008. There was a truckload of buzz about Clinton and Palin being the first serious potential female candidates to be elected into the White House. This lack of news credibility thanks to the media only furthered this political myth. Yet again, the media played a role in shaping our thoughts and ideas on a critical issue. (more…)
In the spirit of discussion about gender, politics, and women’s history month, I thought a throwback to the birth of it all would be appropriate. If you think ya’ll know the truth about the women’s suffrage movement, I’m about to school you.
This semester I made one of the best decisions of my life—accidentally. In order to fulfill a requirement for my Women’s Studies major as well as my Honors core, I enrolled in WSP 200: The History of the Women’s Suffrage Movement through Matilda Joslyn Gage. It appealed to me from the start, but I had no idea I was going to be learning about such fascinating details of the women’s suffrage movement that I was completely unaware of.
I was unaware because they were intentionally left out of our history books. What’s even more shocking is the fact that women are responsible for this. WOMEN! Wouldn’t you assume that such a historical struggle would cause great closeness between the primary individuals involved? Although it’s wishful thinking, it’s NOT the case.
Matilda Joslyn Gage was a female suffragist who was a part of a close friendship trio between herself, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony. The three were an unstoppable combination when it came to “fighting the man.” They wrote editorials, created political parties, and organized an entire movement that eventually led to my ability to vote in the 2008 Presidential election. (more…)
Girls, if this doesn't disgust you, you disgust me...
Apparently I’m not representing all females when I say Rush Limbaugh is truly a butthead. The “King” of conservative media recently announced he was conducting a poll of how to appeal to more women listeners on his radio show. After taking a couple of previous polls, it was discovered that only 37% of women dig El Rushbo (the Man’s nickname for himself).
Yes the number is small, but percentages are still percentages, and 37% of women DIG El Rushbo. So, for heaven’s sake–what’s the deal? WHY?!
After endless research and reading countless articles, editorials, and blogs, I still couldn’t come up with any reasons why any woman in her sane mind would like him. I also couldn’t find any previously written articles exploring this idea. All I could find are people babbling about why women do hate him (shocking, I know).
I eventually decided I didn’t have many options left, so I consulted with my spring break crew, my 19-year-old male cousin and 75-year-old grandparents. What are any possible reasons why women like good ol’ Rushy? (more…)
She’s at it again ladies and gentlemen, conquering the world one country at a time. Rather, one person at a time. Clinton recently came back to the U.S. after her Asian tour, stopping in countries like China, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea. Instead of following in the steps of past diplomats, Clinton is creating her own path of success concerning U.S. relationships with international governments. One way to win over a government: start with the people.
This strategy of cultural diplomacy that Clinton used in the last couple of weeks brings a whole new meaning to U.S. foreign policy. Finding a way to relate to the people of a state is a smart foreign policy plan—home girl obviously did her homework.
Hillary visited the University of Tokyo during this tour and not only did she speak about how the United States needs to maintain and restore its connections with the Muslim world, but she also responded to a student who asked her “how to become as strong as she is? (more…)
The Obama family has already started to shake things up in Washington, and I am especially looking forward to what Michelle Obama does differently from past First Ladies. It’s finally time for, what’s the cliché? Change! (Yeah, I drink the kool-aid).
With about 35 official days in office, there is much talk about what kind of progress Mrs. Obama is going to achieve. Here are five reasons why I think Michelle will rock the White House no matter what she decides to pursue:
1. Her education. After graduating as salutatorian from her high school, Michelle Obama received her B.A. degree from Princeton University where she also graduated cum laude. She majored in sociology and minored in African American studies before moving onto Harvard Law School. What up now, haters? (more…)
The Iranian women’s rights movement has been a long time coming and is finally a serious matter of consideration. Feminists and activists worldwide are all rallying behind the women of Iran to support and encourage their newfound liberal behavior.
The real question is how to address an always-touchy issue of women’s rights in the Middle Eastern culture when trying to create progress while respecting Iran’s strict cultural traditions at the same time. It makes for quite a sticky situation when cultural and legal restrictions are all in the same.
That being said, however, the Iranian government has been violating the basic human rights of their women for as far back as history allows us to go. It is not fair to these women to have to fight for education, marital, and sexual freedom.
It is clearly evident that education plays a significant role in the women of Iran filing for divorces and battling for custody of their own children in a country where this shunned. Iranian women of all social classes are using tools like universities, satellite television, and the Internet to gain more knowledge concerning their potential equality with men. (more…)
The first time I ever felt the force of feminism—in all its fiery angst, oratorical ardor and intellectual property—was watching Staceyann Chin perform on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam when I was a junior in High School. The half-Jamaican, half-Chinese, lesbian/feminist delivered her prose with a zeal that set a spark in my pre-natal activist womb. Other queer poets, like Alix Olson and Andrea Gibson, exemplify the perfect marriage—or partnership, if you will—between spoken word and feminism.
Getting the opportunity to see Chin live last semester at Panache Lounge only strengthened my respect and admiration for the poet and the genre of spoken word. This is why I took notice when I saw an event posting for The Open-Mic Feminist Performance Party, which took place last Friday, Oct. 24, at Spark Contemporary Art Space. The event was held in conjunction with the Feminist Rhetoric for Social Justice symposium, which brought speakers like Journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Backlash, Susan Faludi, and author of the two-volume series, Man Cannot Speak for Her, Karlyn Kohrs Campbell, to Syracuse University’s campus to talk about why feminism still matters in an age perceived as post-feminist.(more…)
