Feminism

I am loving teaching...seriously.  And what I am loving the most is seeing the wheels in the minds of so many start to turn; grasping the concepts of feminism and grasping how feminism has, and will continue to, impact their lives.

So few people truly understand what feminism is, and what it represents.  It has a reputation of standing for man-hating, femi-nazi's, and wanting women to rule the world...when in reality feminism represents a fight for equality, for all people based on gender, sex, sexual orientation, race, SES and more.  Feminism represents the voice of so many, and has been the movement that has made voting by females possible, reproductive choice possible, and has allowed women to enter the workforce. 

Some of my students are so tied to the social constructed gender norms for men and women, and watching their walls come down surrounding this is incredibly rewarding.  Men don't have to be the bread winners, and women are not made for nurturing and mothering alone.  We all have gifts, talents, and dreams...and who we are on paper should never stop us from achieving our dreams!

#124: I am proud to be a feminist, and grateful to live in a time and country where saying that does not put me in danger.
#125: Grateful for my role in opening the minds of so many. 
#126: Loving the fact that my students were emailing me about the Roe anniversary this weekend.  Proud moments.
#127: Excited for the day where shame behind feminism, abortion and women's rights disappears.
#128: Male feminists are sexy.  Grateful they exist.
#129: Freedom to be the woman I want to be is huge.  I am always worried about becoming too domesticated or too stereotypically womanly...but in reality I am free to be who I want to be...and if I love children, cooking, cleaning, laundry, working, and playing...well so be it :)
#130: Free Speech

Unexpected

Life throws curve balls and surprises on a daily basis, and I am finding myself more and more open to these curve balls.

Everyone always says that good things happen when you least expect them, and I am starting to believe that they were all right.  I can't express how grateful I am for my life, my freedoms, and my joys.  And knowing that all of these things are blessings and not entitlements make me feel that much more lucky!

#119: Today marks the 49th anniversary of Roe v Wade.  Thankful for my rights to choice, my right to privacy and the right to decide my own future! 
#120: Thankful for the fact that I am loved by so many, cared for by so many, and appreciated by so many.
#121: Scarlet Doodle is such a blessing for my life!  I love having her to greet me when I get home ... and every time I come down the stairs.
#122: Comfy beds, comfy pillows, and comfy covers have gotten me through this weekend.
#123: Plans.  You all know I'm a planner, and I love having things to look forward to.

Planned Parenthood

Lucky for me, I was able to both meet and hear the President and CEO of Central and Southeast Michigan Planned Parenthood speak on Monday.  Saying she was an incredible speaker would be quite the understatement.  I have long supported this organization (willing to accept backlash) because they are unafraid to support the women that so many other health clinics turn away. 

Did you know that 95% of the services rendered at PP are healthy-women exams such as pap smears, gyn exams, breast exams, pre-natal care?  Did you know that they will never turn away a woman OR man who walks in their doors looking for pregnancy or STD testing or even both?  Did you know that PP has an educational component that teaches TRUE (accurate) information about pregnancy, contraception, abortion and female-body care? 

I recognize that so many people are passionately against abortion and this right that women have.  I myself am not a huge fan; BUT I would much rather women have a safe place to go to like PP than to have to turn to back alley/coat hanger/dangerous methods.  I can't convince everyone to believe what I believe, but I can support a movement that will keep women safe! 




Every woman who seeks an abortion does so for her own personal reason.  HER reason is NOT political; it's personal and very well thought through.  Abortion is not something to take lightly, and isn't taken lightly because of the required counseling and questioning.  What are your reasons for supporting anti-choice or pro-choice movements?  Is it wise to say "never"?