Today is International Women’s Day.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be a woman in these present times. I feel grateful for the women who have come before me…I owe so much to the women who have fought for fairness, equality, and human rights. But the fight isn’t over. Women all over the world are still subject to gross human rights abuses and gender-based violence. Many still believe that women are the ‘weaker sex’.
I believe that God created men and women as equals. I believe that we are to live in this world as co-equal partners who strive for peace, justice, and respect for all.
For these reasons, I’d like to publicly state my support of Tracie McMillan. Tracie is the author of The American Way of Eating and she was attacked by Rush Limbaugh this week for being a single, ‘overeducated’ woman. Rush also criticized her for being young and for winning a social justice award.
The whole thing left me flabbergasted. When did a college education and social justice awards become bad things?! I’m not going to comment on Rush Limbaugh’s politics, or my own political leanings. Rather, I’m standing up for a talented and successful author (not ‘authorette’, as Rush called her) who is tackling important issues in the American food system. If you would like to support Tracie, I highly recommend purchasing her book.
If you’d like to join in the fight for women’s rights worldwide, here are a few organizations that are doing great things:
GEMS
Sari Bari
International Justice Mission
Oxfam
Lastly, MoreThanMe.Org has a great article entitled, “Do Something on International Women’s Day” which is full of information, education, and resources.
Happy International Women’s Day to all!
Love,
Lindsay
Preach! I’ve been reading the Tracie McMillan exerpts over at Slate and I can’t wait to get my hands on the full book.
I heard an interview with Tracie on NPR and I’ve been dying to get my hands on this book ever since. Thank you for this post– it seems that lately the “powers that be” have focused their attention on attacking women rather than supporting them. What a shame, as now more than ever there is such a wonderful community of passionate women doing what they love.
I don’t think the word “feminism” is one to shy away from– I’m proud to say that I believe that all people should be treated equally in this world. And I’m equally proud to be a part of such a vocal and largely female blogging community, who’s hunger for food justice inspires me every day. Thanks again for this post!
Preach is right! Love this. Book is on the list, immediately.