We are living in an age where ideas of womanhood are evolving. Not only do we fulfill domestic roles as daughters, sisters, wives, mothers, aunts, playats. unts, godmothers and dear friends, we also are expanding our roles in the public sphere. We are entering and conquering so many professions and are witnessing women as firsts. Many of us remember the first female astronauts, women judges, ambassadors, Shirley Chisholm running for the Democratic nomination in '68, Geraldine Ferraro who ran as the Democratic VP in '84, and several women members of US presidential cabinets. Simultaneously, we have women who are the United Nations Ambassador and Secretary of State.
Yet the average woman is challenged by glass ceilings, reproductive control policy, employment opportunties, economic ownership and credit. We are challenged because there are men who are in positions of power, who maintain those glass ceilings, believe that women should not have control over their bodies, limit women's access to credit, loans, etc. What I find is that, at times, younger women don't begin practicing empowerment relationships with men early. I am astonished at some of the interactions I observe from some young ladies on campus, who allow some guys to communicate with them in a disdainful way. Where are the town-hall meetings that discuss these issues? Where are the women leaders who call to attention the lowclass behavior that is absolutely intolerable? Where is the national movement to end the derogatory images and lyrics in 21st century music (I am so over it already)?
Each of you bring special talents as women in your own way, capable of starting a movement. You have all the technology tools at your disposal. There are women on campuses who are poised and ready to join an effort, who are sick of music that is only about sex and money, sick of young men only behaving out of bias and selfishness. You are capable of building a network, an engine to totally eliminate messages of gender destruction and hate. Let us start now. Talk to one another, and invite people to this discussion that can start the wheels turning. NSU Women United!
