Lessons for Girls

Here's a really cool meme I just discovered and now love. It's called Lessons for Girls and it's an ongoing series about life issues for women, with contributions by various bloggers. Click this link to read the whole thing, but just for instant gratification's sake, here's the basic list:

1. Anger
2. Opting Out
3. On Pity
4. Independence
5. Trust Your Instincts
6. No Apologies
7. It’s okay if not everyone likes you
8. You don’t have to be a mom
9. You can say no
10. Don’t peak early
11. Love your body
12. If you don’t ask, you don’t get
13. You are not what you wear
14. Don’t just ask, insist on help (even if it makes you feel weird)
15. Girl School
16. Romance is for your pleasure and enjoyment

My favorite, I think, is Girl School.

Try it. This stuff is gold. From the blog Historiann.

Spotting Feminist Themes on TV

One of my favorite topics is analyzing feminist themes on television, as well as gender portrayals of both male and female characters. Having just marathoned the entire Felicity series this summer, some of my thoughts about feminism, gender roles, and relationship equality within that particular show can be found here (with an expanded version here).

Also, a couple related links that caught my eye:

Are feminist TV characters a thing of the past? via After Ellen.

20 feminist TV characters at Jezebel.

Although everyone's list of this type would probably be different, I thought three notable absences from these were Clair Huxtable from The Cosby Show (& probably Sondra too), Maggie O'Connell from Northern Exposure, and Elaine Benes from Seinfeld. Who would you add?

Hell, Yes: Women’s History Relevant All Year

I came across this article today from The Centre Daily Times in Pennsylvania, written by Nalini Krishnankutty. Entitled Women's History Relevant All Year, it does a nice job of breaking down the basic issues involving the status of women in the United States. Her number one question goes something like this: "Doesn't it tell us something that women are a majority of the population but still a minority in government leadership?"

This is a bottom-line fact that feminists never forget -- when a majority of the population play a minority role in representative government, something is wrong. Equality has not been reached. Yet, some people in the men's movement tend to assume right off the bat that equality has been obtained, and not only that, men are now at a disadvantage. Riiight. What's scary is that many who say these things, truly believe them. Um yeah, maybe your male privilege is showing? And it's a privilege so powerful and blinding, by the way, that you might not even be aware of it?

Krishnankutty also reminds us that the theme of the 2009 Women's History Month was "Women Taking the Lead to Save our Planet," and highlights the women scientists and ecofeminists who have consistently been at the forefront of the environmental movement, including Ellen Swallow Richards, Maria Sanford, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Rachel Carson, Grace Thorpe, and Vandana Shiva. All except Shiva, who Krishnankutty focuses on herself, were acknowledged by President Obama in his Women’s History Month proclamation. Check it out... it's a good read.

And check out Krishnankutty's article if you get the chance. It's a simple yet effective example of how mainstream and accessible feminism can be.

Here's also a blog post by Krishnankutty I found thought-provoking: Could Gender Diversity Have Lessened the Financial Crisis? Interesting stuff.

"Norma Gay" Protests Prop 8

Earlier this week, comedian Kathy Griffin protested Prop 8 a la Sally Field in the film Norma Rae, and quite frankly, it was awesome. She said her friends call her Norma Gay. Hilarious. Watch the full speech here.

Feminist Quotes of the Day: Gloria Steinem edition

"We’ve demonstrated that women can do what men do, but not yet that men can do what women do. That’s why most women have two jobs — one inside the home and one outside it — which is impossible. The truth is that women can’t be equal outside the home until men are equal in it."

"A liberated woman is one who has sex before marriage and a job after."

"A pedestal is as much a prison as any small, confined space."

"Women and girls no longer feel crazy, alone, or flying in the face of nature if they have the outrageous idea that they should be treated as full human beings. Knowing that the system is crazy, not you, is a huge leap forward."

Gloria Steinem, pioneering 2nd-wave feminist, turned 75 this week! Happy Birthday, Gloria! The above amazing quotes are all hers.

Read Courtney's reflections on the state of feminist leadership at Feministing.

Posts of Interest

Some stuff I haven't had time to blog about:

Jessica's critique of the virginity movement's continued shaming of hook-up culture on college campuses. Via Feministing.

Both the Vermont and New Hampshire legislatures are very close to legalizing gay marriage. Woot! However, the threat of gubernatorial vetoes loom.

An intense personal story from a woman who has, at different times in her life, given a baby up for adoption and had an abortion. At Shakesville.

And my personal favorite: Dolly Parton as a feminist icon! Love that woman.

Feminist Lovefest

Showing some love for my fellow feminists, here are a few links to posts I find especially relevant/interesting/insightful:

Courtney E. Martin's "Why Love Is Our Most Powerful, Lasting Form of Activism" via AlterNet.

Cara's thoughts on gender roles in the context of the Vatican's new report that claims men and women sin differently. Via Feministe.

SarahMC's take on a cartoon that explores the use of the word "rape" as a verb when discussing non-rape situations. Via The Pursuit of Harpyness.

Melissa McEwan's philosophy of feminist teaspoons via Shakesville.