Dare To Be A Feminist

by CAPERTON, Sourced from Feministe, via AlterNet

Which State is The Worst Right Now For Women's Health?

Several commenters have noted that calling Arizona the “worst state in the union” is kind of unfair, since a state is more than simply the sum of its legislation. As a resident of Alabama, I have to sympathize. States like Arizona (and Alabama) are, in fact, full of progressive-minded people who lack the resources to leave or just choose to stay and try to make things better. Those people deserve our support, as do the good people of....

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by PAUL STANLEY, Christian Post

President Obama appears to be moving away from his 2009 stance of opposing gay marriage. He is opposing a proposed constitutional amendment in North Carolina that would define marriage as between one man and one woman.

"While the president does not weigh in on every single ballot measure in every state, the record is clear that the President has long opposed divisive and discriminatory efforts to deny rights and benefits to same-sex couples," said Obama's North Carolina spokesperson, Cameron French, last Friday. [MORE]

by LAURA BASSETT, The Huffington Post

The sponsor of an Idaho mandatory ultrasound bill, state Sen. Chuck Winder, made some highly controversial comments Monday during his closing arguments, suggesting women might falsely use rape as an excuse to obtain an abortion.

by EMILY HARTMAN, The Brown Daily Harold

Emily Martin, vice president and general counsel at the National Women’s Law Center, painted a grim picture of current gender pay inequalities Monday night to a small, female-dominated audience in Petteruti Lounge.

Regardless of age, race, education level, industry and other demographic factors, women earn less than men, Martin said. One year out of college, women earn about 80 percent as much as their male counterparts, and the gap only widens with time. New female doctors earn nearly $17,000 less than new male doctors, a disparity that has risen over the past decade. Even when controlling for all external factors, there is still a significant wage disparity, Martin said.

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IF there was a medal for double standards at the London Games this summer, the International Olympic Committee would be in with a pretty good shout of winning gold.

by ANN-ELISE HENZL, WUWM/Milwaukie Public Radio

Gov. Scott Walker will sign a number of bills into law this week. They’re the result of the Legislature’s final, regular flood period of the year. It ended last week.

One bill the governor might sign would limit the damages a worker could seek from an employer in discrimination cases. As WUWM’s Ann-Elise Henzl reports, the measure – like many this session – was touted as a “pro-business” reform.

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“We have to constantly critique imperialist white supremacist patriarchal culture because it is normalized by mass media and rendered unproblematic.” - bell hooks...

by RAY WILLIAMS,  Financial Post

March is Women’s Month worldwide, intended to celebrate the advancement of women’s accomplishments and equality. While there are many individual accomplishments to celebrate overall the picture is not rosy, particularly in the United States.

Research data from the workplace shows evidence that in North America, and particularly in the United States, the situation for women is deteriorating and the glass ceiling may become concrete. [MORE]

In Wisconsin -- yes, the same state where lawmakers have introduced a bill penalizing single mothers for being unmarried -- a Republican state representative has come out against divorce for any reason -- even domestic abuse.

Occupy Minneapolis

Honor the Struggles for Women’s Liberty this Women’s History Month. Come hear speeches and join us in celebration and conversation about women’s historic struggles! [MORE]