Comments on: Help Us Write "The Gender Speech"

By: harriet irby

harriet irby — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:21:44 +0000

A national dialogue on gender would not be possible, I think. Regional differences exist in the overall social concept of the nature of male/female relationships.
The “bible belt” states are a more difficult terrain for women who wish to slip the bonds of conventional thinking about womens’ powerlessness in the public sphere.
As a Texan. I was stunned by the epic lives of Barbara Jordan and Ann Richards. These women were light years ahead of the political “norm”.Sadly ,their eloquence , political vision and achievements are not retold in public schools or mass media. Popular culture crams male sports heroes into the brains of youth. Britanney ,Paris,and Hanna are the women of the hour.
No pathway to a just and sensible future is being forged out of these images.No coherent political strategies are being crafted for public display. Capitalists ( mostly male) are busily making billions
Time to give the women a chance.Time to see if the supposed ” gender differences” can yield better results.

By: Erica H

Erica H — Mon, 19 May 2008 01:20:26 +0000

As the women before me wrote, it is time for a change! I believe that a woman can do the job of 10 men, and most of the time we do. All you have to do is ask a mother what she does. I am a single mom of a beautiful, vivacious 4 year old. I want her growing up in a world where she has freedom of choice in all she does. I have read alot of the responses and recent articles written about women and equal pay and so forth. I believe there is a sub standard for single moms in this country. We always get less, less recognition, less health care, less pay, less respect, and so on… The days of a husband and wife household are gone. I am currrently unemployed and finding it increasingly difficult to find a job,especially one that will cater to the type of schedule I need. I am activly involved in my daughters school , I love the time I get to spend with her. I try to lead by example when it comes to education, the environment, employment (even though I am not working , I am activly seeking employment), and health and wellness. I think women need to realize the power they hold in all issues. I believe in the power of one , I am that one and I want to show other women how they can be that one too. I say it is high time we get in gear and go after the things we want and need most. Let’s go ladies!! Give these hard headed men a run for their money. they need to get out of our house and let us take care of business. Thank you, I wish every woman that responds to this call a very successful rest of the year , let’s go ladies, are you ready??!!!

By: Kim Hoover

Kim Hoover — Sat, 17 May 2008 01:11:41 +0000

As I went off to law school in 1980, my mother warned me of the male/female double standard in life. I dismissed her comments as old-fashioned. After 25 years of the profession and a year of campaigning for Hillary, I called my mother to admit she was right. As my older daughter prepares for college and adult life, should I confess to her she would have been better off born male?
JD. Duke, 1983

By: Kim Hoover

Kim Hoover — Sat, 17 May 2008 01:04:41 +0000

Isn’t this organization founded for the purpose of putting a woman in the White House? Hillary Clinton has now been voted for by more real live humans than Barack Obama or any other potential nominee in history. WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT? What are you waiting for? You are a FRAUD as an organization. Your financial backers obviously have a whole other agenda. You should surrender your tax status and GO HOME!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:52:30 +0000

One of the best ways for equality in the workplace to take place, is to place a woman in a position of helping to make the hiring decisions. I would encourage methods to make that happen – either within companies or by helping women start their own companies.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 10 May 2008 23:15:27 +0000

Do you think a woman can be as effective a President as a man?

My Position:
Yes, a woman can be as effective as a man
Your Statement: The fact this question is even being asked, illustrates the ever-present gender discrimination issue in America. People need to get over the fact that women aren’t just good for popping out babies and cooking dinner. Just look around the world,women are in a myriad of leadership positions everywhere.

By: Deborah Barr Stevens

Deborah Barr Stevens — Sun, 04 May 2008 03:28:24 +0000

Thank goodness I came directly to this site after first being directed to this article as it appeared in The Huffington Post! The comment section there was a perfect example of the unrelenting sexism present in our society. All I can say is women have to be strong for themselves and for other women and we need to include the men who support us in our efforts toward full equality for all persons. We must walk the walk, as well as, talk the talk. Thank you for starting this conversation.

By: Lydia TWi

Lydia TWi — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:20:14 +0000

If the world wanted to heal by changing everything, this is what i would change: I would resurrect Grandmother Earth and the belief in the Goddess. I would open up temples to Her in every city; I would buy up liquor stores and gut them and create temples in the Creater’s (Her) name.

I would send Kung Fu/ Taekwondo black belts to the women of Darfar to teach them how to disarm and defend themselves. This is important. Groups of women who can fight off an attacker(s) by self defense is what is sorely needed in Darfar and elsewhere.

I would change the perception of what a ‘period’ is. Women and young grrls would come to honor their ‘moon’thly cycle and to celebrate it’s arrival.

I would not focus on becoming ‘equal’ with men. My focus would be on womyn recognizing their own inner power and inner beauty. When we come to realize the joy of being a womyn is more joyous than being an ‘equal partner’, we can then Celebrate Our Womynhood!

Confident happy womyn will then open up their own businesses, develope their own government decisions, and create their own ‘happy endings’.

It is men’s responcibility to change their own view, to change their own egoic nature. It is not for womyn to break down the barriers. The one who raises the barrier must be the one who removes it. Let’s build our own community energy, without looking to blend in with men.

When we shine and realize our own goals and desires again, the world will listen to the beauty of the Goddess’s wisdom. Those who will find us as willing partners to be respected and honored will show themselves, and our Power, the power of the feminine, will return.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:38:14 +0000

Nearly 88 years ago, the 19th amendment to the constitution was officially passed after 70 years of fighting for women’s suffrage. In 1920, women finally had the right to vote. Eighty-eight years later, women continue to face significant gender inequality. Eighty-eight years! Although women’s issues have not been stagnant for the past eight-eight years, they have not progressed the way Alice Paul, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Carrie Chapman Catt, and others would have envisioned for this far in the future. The Mothers and Caregivers Economic Rights policy was initiated in the 1960′s and although revived, still hasn’t passed.

Today, a woman who speaks up may not be sent to the psychiatric ward like her predecessors, but she often stands alone. Why are women reluctant to join in with their voices? It seems that women are more likely to join in when the conversation glazes over tough topics. We often see this with women who are in the public eye. They may take a stand but not too much of one for fear off turning off their supporters. I believe this is the result of fear, uncertainty and doubt. Fear of being seen as too radical or not feminine enough. Uncertainty about their beliefs. And, doubt that they can do anything to change the status quo.

Progress can not be made until more woman are willing to talk straight about tough subjects, more women are willing to express themselves boldly, and more woman are willing to stand by their bold peers.

By: Sharmina T. Ellis

Sharmina T. Ellis — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:57:10 +0000

Women are effective, equipped and valuable strategist.

Women are able to provide social capital via the networks that we form.

Women are dynamic, and authentic by nature.

Women prepare for growth by way of balance in order to be aligned for the Next Level!

We Nurture! We Organize! We Hit the Ground Running………….

We Vote! We Run! We Rule……………………………….