California NOW

Can't They Deal With Whole Women?

Terminator ~ The Sarah Connor Chronicles premieres on FOX tonight.  She is a tough sexy woman who inspired us years ago in the Terminator movies.  I am looking forward to watching it - especially now that Arnold won't be poisoning the action.  What is with this ad?    I love women in  science fiction and cyborgs - like Seven of Nine from Star Trek Voyager but there is something really wrong about this poster ~ where are her arms?  Why are they showing a dismembered woman to advertise for a show about a powerful woman?  Is this a warning?     

It reminds me of a restaurant in Corona Del Mar - The Quiet Woman; you can guess I have never been there ~ though I do remember years ago going to a restaurant in Newport Beach with women only and the Maitre De did not know what to do, as women were given menus without the prices (money was too indelicate for ladies).  He was baffled as to which one of us could handle the men's menu with the  prices printed.  Wish Sarah Connor was with us then!      

My Holiday Favorite: Little Feminist Women

When I was little, my mom read Little Women to me. It was a beautiful hardback book, covered with a sweet drawing of the March family gathered around the piano. I loved the story of those sisters who were much like their mother, living by a moral code that required right actions, right thoughts, kindness, respect for others and self, and making the best decisions possible.

For Christmas my mom gave me the 1994 film staring Winona Ryder, Claire Danes, Kirsten Dunst and Susan Sarandon. I’ve seen this, and the other versions, many times over the year. In fact, I named my clothing line Jo March Designs after my favorite character. Jo has always been one of my role models, the strong, independent sister, who believes in women’s rights and follows her dreams. But it was this year, that I realized what a blatant feminist story this was. I must sound so naïve, but I never realized the entire plot of the story is how Mr. March is fighting in the war, and the March women must fend for themselves and try to maintain the family on a pittance. To keep the families social standing and avoid a life as a domestic servant these bright, educated women instead must rely on clever frugality, as well as on the support of the men in their lives. With four young women in the household the need to marry, and hopefully marry well, is a reoccurring conversation. My heroism Jo instead insists on a world where a woman can love anyone she chooses and support herself instead.

Today, I know so many bright women that embody Jo March. With millions copies sold I wonder how many women were influenced by Louisa May Alcott’s 1968 masterpiece. With Gillian Armstrong’s 1994 version, and the all star cast, there will be many more to come.

Oh, Phyllis is still at work.

I am asked all the time if Mrs. Schlafly is still around.  I suppose they mean is she still alive; baking cookies and trimming the tree would be okay but, the reality is, she is still hard at work prohibiting the advancement of gender equality and pay equity.  You can find her on campuses (stop inviting her!) and, in particular this season, testifying against the ERA in Florida ~ where it is so close!  Here is where she was this last Wednesday. 

Thank You

Thank you for every action you take. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for voting. Thank you for being my friend.  Thank you for creating the world you want to live in. Thank you for standing up for women and girls. Thank you for doing the right thing. Thank you for following your dreams. Thank you for creating peace, happiness, joy. Thank you for making the launch of this blog such a success.

Thank you for changing the world.

Thank you

Thank You