2008 Woodie Awards
Feminist activist, author speaks in honor of International Women's Day
Lisa McGunigal
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Campus
03/07/08 - Last night's lecture, titled "Can I be a feminist and ... shave my legs, have a boyfriend, be a man?" addressed frequently asked questions as part of International Women's Day. Feminist activist and Third Wave organizer Amy Richards was the keynote speaker in the Memorial Union ballroom.
Third Wave has a double meaning, referring to the current age of feminists, as well as Richards' organization that honors women's movements. Richards said Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony were members of the first wave in 1848 at the Seneca Falls Convention, a large, unprecedented women's convention that took place in New York. The second wave consisted of protesting the Miss America pageant, gaining Title Nine, and promoting Ms. Magazine.
Richards said the question most often wondered about feminism is, "What exactly does it mean to be a feminist in this day and age?"
Richards explored her realization that being a feminist can exist alongside being true to oneself. She recalled having doubts about being a feminist while still enjoying athletics, her boyfriend opening doors for her and wearing perfume. Gloria Steinem, an activist, author and former employer of Richards, inspired her to tap into feminism while staying true to her own identity.
Richards remembered meeting Steinem and experiencing her friendly demeanor.
Richards said she remembered thinking, "But you're nice. Wow, that's so odd," upon their first meeting.
There are several contrasting notions with feminism that Richards explained are possible to possess while still acting as a feminist. Three main ones she discussed included, "Can I be a feminist and ... be a man, be pro-life and be religious?" In terms of being a man, conflicting situations arose as the women's movement focused on creating women's studies programs, helping women enter aeronautics, and helping them gain political positions. Basically, women were fighting to include themselves in language that had excluded them, Richards said.
Third Wave has a double meaning, referring to the current age of feminists, as well as Richards' organization that honors women's movements. Richards said Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony were members of the first wave in 1848 at the Seneca Falls Convention, a large, unprecedented women's convention that took place in New York. The second wave consisted of protesting the Miss America pageant, gaining Title Nine, and promoting Ms. Magazine.
Richards said the question most often wondered about feminism is, "What exactly does it mean to be a feminist in this day and age?"
Richards explored her realization that being a feminist can exist alongside being true to oneself. She recalled having doubts about being a feminist while still enjoying athletics, her boyfriend opening doors for her and wearing perfume. Gloria Steinem, an activist, author and former employer of Richards, inspired her to tap into feminism while staying true to her own identity.
Richards remembered meeting Steinem and experiencing her friendly demeanor.
Richards said she remembered thinking, "But you're nice. Wow, that's so odd," upon their first meeting.
There are several contrasting notions with feminism that Richards explained are possible to possess while still acting as a feminist. Three main ones she discussed included, "Can I be a feminist and ... be a man, be pro-life and be religious?" In terms of being a man, conflicting situations arose as the women's movement focused on creating women's studies programs, helping women enter aeronautics, and helping them gain political positions. Basically, women were fighting to include themselves in language that had excluded them, Richards said.