It’s International Women’s Day, and the theme is “Women in Decision-Making.” The UN Web site has more information on the holiday, including a short history (it was first observed in 1909), a message from the secretary-general, and links to other sites and resources on the status of women around the world.
As this article points out, it’s notable that this day falls in the same week that South Dakota passed a bill outlawing abortions in all cases except when the life of the mother is at risk. At least President Bush has vowed that “America will help women stand up for their freedom, no matter where they live.” Presumably that means South Dakota, too, George?
It’s worth taking a moment today, too, and reflecting on how LGBT rights and women’s rights intersect–or don’t–in our lives as lesbian moms. Where do we put our energies? Where are there tradeoffs? Where are they inextricable? For my gay dad readers, if you have daughters, how, if at all, has that changed your view of women’s issues? No right or wrong answers here—I don’t want to start a public debate on any of this. I just think it’s good to think about these sorts of questions every once in a while. It can to help clarify our personal viewpoints, whatever they may be. Happy International Women’s Day!
I don’t think that having a daughter has made me more aware of women’s issues, *yet*. I think it will as she gets older and she begins to encounter sexism and prejudice and me being the nosy busybody that I will be, will experience it right along with her.
BTW, today is blog against sexism day.
I’ve always thought that women ruled the world, anyway, I always felt a stronger connection to women in that way. All my friends are women, over 90% of the commenters on my blog are women (and the vast majority straight) I have three sisters, no brothers, and my mom and I talked for hours on the phone, every night, for several years before she passed away. She would tell me of the sexual harassment she endured at work, so I know of what women go through, in that way, unable to experience it myself. My world has just always been mostly relating to women.
What a ramble, huh? I hope when my daughter gets older, what I want most is for her to know that she can always turn to me when she needs to, but I picture this kid as growing up to be a Lara Croft type of person (LOL). There’s something reassuring when you hear a loud crash from the back part of the house and a little toddler shouting “Don’t worry, I’m alright! I’m okay!” instead of crying. Seriously. She’s going to kick butt when she’s older.
Well, as a black belt in taekwondo, I’m all for women who kick butt. At the same time, I’ll wish for her the same thing I wish for myself, that she knows how to defend herself, but never has to. I also hope she never feels she’s beyond turning to you for help, no matter how tough she is.