Start A Female Revolution

Written By: Kim - Mar• 04•12

Women in the US are mad as hell, but what are we doing about it?

  • This week, Rush Limbaugh’s slur about a female Georgetown University law student, Sandra Fluke, calling her a slut and a prostitute, resulted in women everywhere revolting. He has since then apologized.
  • Last month, the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s denial of funds to Planned Parenthood resulted in such an outcry that it took less than a week for the organization to reverse its decision.
  • Last week, the Commonwealth of Virginia legislature recently passed a watered-down version of a law requiring women seeking abortions to get an ultrasound, even in cases of incest and rape.
  • A recent Washington Post editorial from February 24 discusses how the Catholic Church, the staunchest supporters of no birth control, almost voted in favor of allowing it in the late 1960s.

I don’t care which political party you belong to. Nor, do I care what your stance is on abortion and birth control. I do care that women are still not represented in places of power. This is not a world I want to leave to my daughter.

My daughter, the swim goddess.

The 2010 Census shows that half of the USA’s population are women. We’ve had the right to vote since the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was approved in 1920 — almost 100 years ago. Yet, according to the WCF Foundation, women only hold 17% of the seats in Congress. Only 22% of state elected executive offices have a woman at the helm. Only 6 out of 50 states have a female governor. These numbers do not represent 50%. Hell, they don’t even represent 25% of our country’s population.

If we do not like what legislatures, organizations and churches are doing that impact us, what are we doing about it? If we want a seat at the table, we have to push for it. The men aren’t going to simply hand it over. Why are women reactive instead of proactive? When did we give up on allowing our male-dominated culture, legislation, business, and yes, even our churches, determine what is best for us? Is this what you want your daughter or granddaughters to live with? I don’t.

All of the women I know have the skill set to hold public office. They work inside and outside the home and are incredibly professional. They volunteer in their children’s schools. They are well informed about issues affecting their families. The juggle multiple commitments and rely on their network when necessary. And, they do all of this within a budget. Yet, no one I personally know except one woman, has stepped up to run for public office at a local level. Local political office is a stepping stone to state and national office. In all of these places, women can affect change.

As I watch the slate for Republican presidential candidates continue to try to earn a top spot for nominee, they all have something in common. You’re smart. What do you see? Three white men. I’ve got nothing against white men. Five men in my life happen to be white and I love them. There have been white men, but only one African American man, in my life who have helped me professionally. What has been lacking is a more diverse pallet. How can we manage better diversity when those in charge aren’t diverse?

There’s no diversity in our pool of power. When President Obama was running the Democratic nominee for president in 2008, there was only one female candidate: Hillary Clinton. So, I ask again: Why are we not involved more in politics? Why are we letting men determine what is best of us? How can we make our voice heard more?

To quote a favorite bummer sticker of mine: stop bitching and start a revolution. We have the skills. We have the rights. Let’s do something about it.

I’m Just Not that Catholic

Written By: Kim - Feb• 01•12

Last week, on 23 January, the March for Life continued it’s annual protest of the 1973 Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade. When I made it to DC’s Union Station to take the commuter train home, there were multitudes of crowds. I even ran in to a good friend of mine who was taking the bus back home to our parish. It’s not unusual to see families riding the commuter train back home from either a regular site seeing day or a protest/march. So, I stumbled upon a middle aged mom with four children who were enjoying a late lunch.

After we spoke briefly about the VRE back home, someone that she new entered in to our area. This mom and her three children had also been at the March for Life. This woman couldn’t have been more than 30 and her oldest looked no older than 10. She wore no makeup and an oversize poncho-type sweater. But, she was also pregnant so I will cut her some slack for looking like Betty Suarez did when “Ugly Betty” first aired. Except Betty had on makeup.

The DC weather in January is always sketchy. Who remembers when President Obama was sworn in? DC weather might be bitter cold, rainy, cold and rain, windy or a combination of all of these. Or, it could just be sunny and decent for winter weather. On 23 January 2012 it was mid 40s with rain. An icky day for a protest no matter the cause. But marchers show up regardless.

The young mother got in to a conversation about the weather and how the Supreme Court justices should know how dedicated the marchers were to seeing Roe v. Wade overturned because they always show up no matter the weather. Ok, I’ll buy that. Marchers and protesters show their passion for the issue.

But then she said something that I will never agree with: that God had allowed the rain so the Supreme Court justices would know how dedicated the Right to Life Marchers were about overturning this court case. She then inferred that the protestors were being punished via the rain. For what? Original sin?

I am sick of some Catholics bearing this guilt cross. Yes, I know. We can’t seem to let it go. It’s part of our culture; our dogma. Can’t we celebrate God differently? Yes. Should we embrace our roots, so to speak? Yes. Are any of us worthy of God? Not really. Are your children really suffering in the rain at at Right to Life March because Eve at that stupid apple? No.

How about embracing your walk with God in a positive way, not propelled by guilt and original sin? Although I attend church on a regular basis and try to walk with God as Christians should, I guess I am just not that Catholic. I don’t let guilt impact how I worship God.