Feminism is not a dirty F-Word

What a word! The word feminism invokes excitement, challenge, issues, women stuff, equality, civil and human rights. It has both aroused conciousness and yet raised eyebrows. For this writer, the word is not a negative or a means to attack the male gender. It embraces the spirit, ambiance, beauty, equality, fairness, dignity, parity due every female--past, present and in the future. It declares that we are not just a kaleidescope of pretty faces but a treasure trove of beautiful minds and hearts. We say the word to mean that we want females everywhere to be protected, respected, educated, honored, treasured, loved, and admired for being the wonderful person they each are. We also are saying that we do not wish to be maltreated, harmed, hurt, maimed, raped, murdered, or denied rights that men take for granted. We do not want to be earning less than a man doing the same job; we do not want to be denied safe access to all forms of medical care. While in the United States great strides have been made for liberty for females in many arenas (and yes there is still a ways to go), many of our sisters outside in other countries long for every crumb of these freedoms. We must maintain the vigilance of the light of liberty for our global sisters--hold the feminism torch high like Lady Liberty hoists hers in New York Harbor-- reminding us that everyday too many women live without the basic rights to drive, have a job, own a home, have a career, be an individual, and still suffer horrid persecution, live in squalor and endure horrible unspeakable crimes. Feminism means that we join together--not just women alone-but caring men as well--to clearly and firmly hold that females are truly equal to males--not in words alone, but through concrete and resolute action. We also hold that we want our justified footing, our place, our space, and our own means to celebrate Womanhood and be free from harrassment, violence, fear, crime, attack, and discrimination. We can also encourage young women to embrace healthier images of being female, teaching them that they were made good by the Creator, that being female is nothing wrong, and that they are here to make a difference in the lives of others as well. Working to strengthen laws to curb domestic violence, providing safe, affordable housing to single mothers with children, providing child care to help women while they finish high school and/or college, are some ways to help women out of the trap of poverty. Feminism is not a bra-burning issue--it is civil-rights-building issue.....for every woman--for you and for me.