Women's Equality Day

Today is Women’s Equality Day, the 90th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution and the day women gained the right to vote in the United States. It was the culmination of a 72-year battle for women’s suffrage. Of the women who first gathered in 1848, only one was still alive when the 19th amendment was ratified by the approval of the Tennessee state legislature.

(Alabama and Georgia were the first to reject the amendment. And those who celebrate women’s right to vote have to love Wyoming – who threatened to not join the Union unless they were allowed to give women the right to vote years earlier.)

Today is important for many reasons. It helps to remind us that our Founding Fathers recognized that adjustments are needed at times and those changes have been made, which is part of the process they embedded into our Constitution that helps to keep it alive and relevant. It is also important to remember that ideas have changed over the years – women were not thought capable or deserving of voting privileges and today are actively courted by politicians for their votes.

It also helps to remind us how important this right is and how new this right is, relative to our history:

• For more than half of the history of the United States and the life of our Constitution, women did not hold the right to vote; they were not afforded the privilege of participating in one of the most valued processes of our Constitution.
  
  
• Both of my grandmothers were born without the right to vote.

The battle for equality did not stop with the passage of the 19th Amendment and, those who are old enough – like me -- can remember those battles.

• When I was married (less than 40 years ago), all but one of my credit cards were canceled simply because I married – and it was all legal, despite the fact that my salary was twice my husband’s at that time. They told me that to continue using them would require transferring to my husband’s name and credit. (The exception – Diners Club.) Being a bit stubborn, I refused to do that - with my husband’s support.

• A good friend inherited stock from her father in 1970 – but was not allowed to sell that stock without a “note from her husband.” Her father, her investments – but preventing her from making the decision to sell was perfectly legal and acceptable.

• When I graduated college in 1970, it was assumed that a woman attending college would either teach or become a nurse. And, despite the fact that it was a publicly funded school, women could not wear pants on campus.

• High school sports for women? Not heard of.

Fortunately, many things have changed. One of the best articles I have read – and I recommend it for ALL women, no matter your age – is Gail Collins’ Letter to young women.

Unfortunately, there is still some work to do. Women still make less money than men for the same occupation, for example. We have not had a woman President. Some of the old attitudes still exist.

We need to work on those, but everyone should take a moment today to celebrate what has been accomplished.

And, if you are a woman of voting age, remember how precious your right to vote is, remember how many people fought for so many decades to achieve that right, and exercise that right with diligence and intelligence:

1. Educate yourself. Research, discuss, learn from the opposite view, do not rely on tv or radio ads and do not rely on one media source, whether conservative, liberal, independent or in-between. I know it takes time, but remember those 72 years it took to attain the right for you to vote; I know it’s hard work to effectively research past the obvious, but what could be more important?

2. Vote! Vote in every election, no matter how small, no matter how seemingly unimportant.

3. Encourage others to do the same.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/11/02/collins.everything.changed.women/index.html

http://www.newsweek.com/blogs/the-gaggle/2010/08/26/our-daughters-ourselves-on-women-s-equality-day-a-reality-check.html

http://womenshistory.about.com/od/suffrage1900/a/august_26_wed.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kate-kelly/the-work-behind-womens-eq_b_695638.html

Looking forward, not backwards

I'm sure many of you have heard about the controversy surrounding the Virginia governor and his Confederate History Month proclamation. What you may not know, is that Alabama's Governor proclaimed April as Confederate History and Heritage Month on March 22, 2010. There have been many comments/blogs/articles about this issue (in Virginia, not much about Alabama). This essay by author Tim Wise is uncomfortable to read in places, but I think it's worth it.

My husband and I are Alabamians by choice, not by birth. There are many things we like about Alabama and feel that is has many things to be proud of and numerous strengths. But I am dismayed that we allow so many of these strengths to hide behind the veil of the Confederacy. I think this statement from the essay illustrates that feeling: " . . . it forever tethers the history of the South to the history of a four-year breakaway government, as if the latter can and should speak for the former. It conflates the South and the Confederacy, and in so doing suggests that this is what makes the region special, and that this is what we in the South should be proud of."

When will we throw off the yokes that hold our state back and realize that we can improve the future for all Alabamians by looking forward, not backwards?

A conservative's surprising (to me) viewpoint

David Frum is a former speechwriter for George Bush. I found this article on his website today, highly critical of some of his fellow conservatives. From what I read, he's probably right that the Health Care Reform bill in its final version is fairly close to some previous Republican versions, but I don't have any comments about the remainder of his blog, except . . .

I have to say AMEN to his comments about the "conservative entertainment industry."

What do you think about his comments?

Waterloo by David Frum

National Catholic Reporter Backs Health Care Reform

As most of you know, I'm not Catholic, but I have been impressed by the number of Catholic organizations who have made statements in support of health care reform the past few days. I may get this wrong, but I believe an organization of Catholic hospitals, Catholic nuns and another group of Catholic leaders have looked past the rhetoric, studied what is actually being proposed and made a coherent and informed public statement about their stance.

Here's a link to the National Catholic Reporter's statement.

Facts on Health Care Reform

Our ongoing debate on health care reform has been energetic, passionate, illogical, false, irritating, scary -- and a few other adjectives I could think of . . .

It has not been our finest hour.

In an effort to inject some facts into the debate, here's a link to the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Energy and Commerce, which prepared a fact sheet for each Congressional district. Check it out to see what the impact might be in your community.

JoAnn

For the Seriously Faithful, Choosing Resistance . . .

For the Seriously Faithful, Choosing Resistance as an Organizing Principle (and becoming Glenn Beck's worst nightmare??

I came across this article by the Rev. Peter Laarman, executive director of Progressive Christians Uniting, on Huffington Post today. I'm including it on the Encouraging Civil Discourse blog, because of a couple of coincidental conversations I had recently: (a) Twice this weekend, someone voiced the opinion that there are a lot of similarities between the United States today and mid-1930's Germany, and, of course, (b) the ongoing discussion about Glenn Beck's attack (or perceived attack) on churches who practice social justice as part of their faith.

I was especially intrigued about the idea of a "Safe Space in Tough Times." This seems like a simple idea that many could adopt, not just religious organizations. Would anyone be willing to approach their church, business, school or civic organization about beginning such a program?

Encouraging Civil Discourse

Civil Discourse

It will be a surprise to some that I spend time every day reading political websites and blogs – from all sides of the political spectrum. I believe that being informed is the first responsibility of a citizen and to me that means getting the facts and understanding-- or at least attempting to understand -- all viewpoints on an issue. (Understanding does not mean you agree.)

I have become increasingly concerned about the lack of “civil discourse” on these sites. The comments – and sometimes the blogs or articles – are filled with disrespect, misinformation, hatred, name calling and an absolute refusal to even try to understand an opposing viewpoint – and that statement applies to BOTH sides. This is not “civil discourse.”

At the same time, our country is facing major challenges that will only be solved with civil discourse that results in solutions to those problems. “My way or the highway” does not work – there must be a coming together to develop useful solutions.

So I’m stepping outside of my comfort zone to start a series of posts Encouraging Civil Discourse. I will be posting statements or links to articles from all sides of the political spectrum that make me think -- even if I disagree. If you want to read them, great. If you want to ignore them, that's okay. You may comment, as long as it is respectful and helpful to developing civil discourse. What I would hope is that you share with others -- both the posts and your own willingness to try to understand differing opinions -- and that we have some interesting and informative discussions.

This is not an attempt to push my viewpoint onto anyone else or to support a particular party or movement. This is my simple way to encourage civil discourse about issues and to encourage you to start your own civil discourse with family, friends – and strangers.

It can only make us stronger.