WWomen’omen’ss CenterCenter NewsletterNewsletter

March 2007 the House of Representatives of 435. Can movement and can help us develop a In This Issue 50 percent of the population produce less road map for where we must travel. As a than 10 percent of the nation's political movement, we should access what Women’s Herstory Month Events - leaders? As you will see in the article, strategieshave been successful in allow- pg 2 “Woman President in U.S.: Will it ever ing women to have access to our high happen?,” we are far behind other coun- profile leadership positions and ensure Women’s Center Events - tries in this respect. that the strategies are truly inclusive. Are ps 3 we reaching out to women of color the The face of leadership is also predomi- same way that we are reaching out to Special Meetings - pg 3 nately white. Where are people of color in white women? What programs and elected office? Also, where are the strategies need to be implemented to Hot Topics - pgs 3-8 women of color? The media refers to the eradicate racism as well as sexism? The Changing Face of Leadership competition for the Democratic nomina- What about women from the lower eco- Feminism in Pop Culture tion for President historic because we have nomic classes? How are we addressing a black man and a white woman compet- issues of poor healthcare and little to no Musings - pgs 9-10 ing for the nomination, but women of access to childcare? What about raising color are still not represented. Carol the minimum wage to a truly humane Activism Corner - pg 10 Mosely Braun did not receive the same level? The women's movement will be a type of attention that either Hillary Clinton successful movement when we can inte- or Barack Obama are summoning. Once grate the issues of all women into our again, the voices of women of color are work. As long as one of us are Director’s Note marginalized, even in "historic" circum- oppressed, all of us are oppressed. stances. The Changing Face of Leadership? I look forward to the coming election by Mandy Restivo It is still to be determined how our new season (even thought it is two years female leaders will be represented in the away!), and hope that we can hold all of This edition of the Women's Center media. I can tell you all of the phases of our elected officials accountable when it newsletter asks the question: Is the face of Hillary Clinton's hair over the last decade: come to issues of justice and equity no leadership in the United States changing? short, long, brown, blonde; and I know matter their sex, gender, race, color, We may be quick to sound a rejoicing that Condaleeza Rice is a size six. I can- creed, or political party. We must not yes! We have a female Speaker of the not say the same for high profile male wait for elections to make change. House, a female President of Harvard and leaders. Do any of us know what size a female candidate running for the shirt President Bush wears? Or how tall Happy Reading, Democratic presidential ticket…these are President Clinton is? Female leaders will victories in the fight for women's equality, never receive the same respect as their but we must not be too quick to celebrate. male counterparts as long as the attention Mandy Restivo focuses on their fashion savvy instead of The face of leadership is changing, some- their political savvy. As citizens, we must what. Women in high profile leadership hold our media sources accountable for the positions change the nation's concept of a way they portray females by sending let- leader, redefining it from always mascu- ters to the editor. Public awareness is one line to occasionally feminine. Such cul- of the best ways to combat this problem. tural shifts take time…and the face of We should demand more from our media leadership will truly change when women sources. represent more than just token numbers in our country's most revered leadership Despite the pitfalls, and the work yet to be positions. For all of the rejoicing about done, I am proud to have such strong com- new female leaders, there are only 16 petent women representing me. It speaks female Senators of 100, and 71 females in volumes about the success of the feminist 1 Women’s Herstory Month Events Margaret Cho Stand-Up Comedy Night: I'm The One That I Want Wednesday, March 28th 9pm, J.Lee's The film combines elements of storytelling and stand-up. The Feminist Film Series primary focus of the material is Screenings and discussions on Cho's ascension into stardom Monday, March 5th - The Color Purple and her struggles with weight, Monday, March 19th - Iron Jawed Angels drug addiction and sexual promiscuity. Monday, March 26th - North Country Cho also addresses racism, homophobia All at 6pm in the Laurel Hall Movie Theater and other challenges.

Closing Tea Keynote Lecture “Deadly Persuasion” Thursday, March 29th and book signing: Dr. Jean Kilbourne 1pm, Friends Hall (SC 219) Tuesday, March 6th Artist's Talk by Jackie Skrzynski 1pm, Alumni Lounges Jackie Skrzynski makes drawings and paintings about the feral Dr. Jean Kilbourne is internationally recognized for her nature of domestic life. She creates unexpected juxtapositions of pioneering work on the image of women in advertising. animals, humans, flora and fauna from what she encounters in her She will discuss the toxic, insidious effects of advertising daily routine. Like creatures from mythology, these figures in our culture. She is well known for her award-winning become totems of strength for the modern family. Skrzynski's lectures as well as writing Can't Buy My Love. work describes her interest in the tension between two psycholog- ical places, one of control and one of instinct. Please RSVP to the “Do Women Have a History?” Women's Center at X7468 Wednesday, March 7th 1pm, The Women's Center Reproductive Rights Conference trip Presented by Ellen Ross and Karen O' Brien Friday, March 30th- Sunday, April 1st Lecture and discussion led by two members of the Hampshire College, Amherst, Massachusetts Women's Studies faculty on the role of women in history. Last year, over 1,000 activists attended this national conference to learn, network, and strategize for reproductive rights and social Worldly Women: International Students Sharing justice. We would like to invite students to join us at this confer- Experiences ence. Over the weekend, participants will learn about and share Wednesday, March 7th organizing experiences and strategies, broaden their understand- 5pm, The Women's Center ing of reproductive rights, and make connections with other relat- Join us for an informal conversation about the experiences ed movements and issues. For more information, come to the of female international students at Ramapo College. Women's Center. Coffee, tea, and desserts will be served. Mamorial March 1st- April 10th, George T. Potter Library In Conversation With…Tabu; A special art exhibition addressing breast cancer survivors. actor/Indian film personality Thursday, March 8th 5pm, SC 136 These events brought to you by: Among other topics, this leading actor for the Indian film The Women's Center industry will discuss the politics of gender in cinema both The Women and Gender Studies Faculty in the context of Bollywood and international cinema. Student Activities Platinum Series Feminists United Book discussion: Can't Buy My Love Omega Phi Chi Led by Mary Cicitta, Acting Ebony Women for Social Change Director of Publications, The International Student Organization Ramapo College of New Jersey Ramapo College Art Galleries Tuesday, March 20th 1pm, The Women's Center As Jean Kilbourne points out in this fascinating book, the For disability related accommodations, please call x7468 at least dreamlike promises of advertising always leave us hungry 48 hours in advance of program. for more. Come share your thoughts on this revolutionary work.

2 Women’s Center Events Feminists United Every Thursday Beyond Beats and Rhymes film 1 pm Women’s Center (C 220) screening Feminists United is a club dedicated to Thursday, March 29th raising awareness about various issues 7pm, J.Lee's such as reproductive justice, minimum The Changing Face of Film screening and discussion wage, economic justice, womens’ rights, Leadership Beyond Beats and Rhymes is a ground- racism, sexism, and many more. We breaking documentary by director want to make a change, but we need Hillary Clinton Byron Hurt. The film focuses on issues your help! Come join our fight for of masculinity, sexism, and homopho- peace! Woman president in U.S.: bia in hip-hop culture and the larger Will it ever happen? American society. Feminists United Myspace: By Barbara Palmer Cosponsored by the Women’s Center 02-18-2007 and the Diversity Action Committee http://www.myspace.com/ feministsunitedatramapo On Sunday, Jan. 21, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., formally announced Feminists United group on Facebook: she was running for the presidency. That decision officially ended speculation http://ramapo.facebook.com/group.php?g that began in 1992, when presidential id=2246655035 candidate Bill Clinton remarked, “Buy one, get one free.”

Female Friendly Funk There have been countless analyses of Thursday, February 22 her candidacy. Will being a woman help 8pm, J.Lee’s her or hurt her? Will she be able to bal- Female Friendly Funk is a monthly ance toughness with tenderness? Will coffeehouse organized to empower female voters vote for her? What about women through the influence of music. her vote on the Iraq War? What's up Ramapo student musicians will per- Ramapo Pride with her hair? form anti-racist, non-misogynistic Every Monday songs. Free food and fun in a comfort- 1 pm Women’s Center (C 220) But all of this raises the question: Why able atmosphere! Ramapo Pride provides a safe environ- has the United States never elected a ment for LGBTIQQ students and allies. female president? The organization is built around provid- ing activist and educational program- Even in Afghanistan in the first post- Special Meetings ming, but also providing a social net- Taliban election, Hamid Karzai had a work for LGBTIQQ students on campus. female opponent, Masooda Jalal, a 41- It organizes social, educational and year-old doctor. In 1997, Ireland's presi- Queer Peer Services activist programs for the campus at large. dential contest featured five female can- Peer Support Group didates. The token male candidate fin- Every Monday Ramapo Pride group on Facebook: ished dead last. Vigdis Finnbogadottir of 9:30 pm Women’s Center (C 220) Iceland was the first democratically This peer support group creates a safe http://ramapo.facebook.com/group.php?g elected woman in the world to serve as a space for members of the LGBTIQQ id=2227619167 president. During her 16 years as presi- community to talk about issues faced dent, from 1980 to 1996, children in on campus pertaining to sexuality, Iceland grew up thinking only a woman relationships, and dealing with homo- could be president. phobia and related issues. All LGB- TIQQ* people and their allies are wel- The Council of Women World Leaders, come! a network of female heads of govern- ments, has 36 current and former presi- *Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, dents and prime ministers as members. Transgendered, Intersexed, Tell us what you think about the At least five countries have elected more Questioning, Queer articles in this newsletter by messaging than one woman: Bangladesh, Finland, us or leaving a comment on our newly Ireland, the Philippines and New Queer Peer Services website: updated Myspace: Zealand. Currently, women are leading countries as different as Chile, Sao http://www.ramapo.edu/studentlife/gayp http://www.myspace.com/rcnjwc Tome and Principe, Jamaica, Latvia, eer/index.html Germany and Liberia. 3 The stories of these women are famil- It lies in the idea of American excep- This is why organizations like the iar, inspiring and astonishing all at the tionalism. During the Cold War, and Alabama Women's Initiative and the same time. Kim Campbell, who served particularly after the fall of the Soviet Women's Leadership Institute at Auburn as Prime Minister of Canada in 1993, Union in the 1990s, we saw ourselves are critical. Love her or hate her, win or was an attorney until she ran for a seat as the lose, it is tremendously important that in the British Columbia Legislative undisputed “leader of the free world.” Hillary Clinton is running. It is a com- Assembly and eventually became We tend to assume that our president pelling visual image that sends a mes- involved in national politics. Chandrika will have some kind of military experi- sage to the rest of the world. Kumaratunga, the president of Sri ence. This is a “warrior” image of lead- Lanka from 1994 to 2005, served as ership, and it is very gendered. While http://www.annistonstar.com/opin- commander-in-chief of the armed Jamaicans, for example, may be fierce- ion/2007/as-insight-0218-0- forces and as the Minister of Defense, ly proud of their nation, they probably 7b17u3948.htm Information and Interior. Both her do not see themselves the same way. mother and father served as prime min- ister. Her husband was assassinated in For several years, polls have consis- Nancy Pelosi 1988, and she survived an assassina- tently shown that more than 90 percent tion attempt during her 2000 re-elec- of Americans say they would vote for a Biography of the Speaker of the tion campaign. female candidate for president. Last United States House of September, Gallup conducted a poll Representatives We tend to forget that several women asking a slightly different question: have run for president in the United Whether respondents thought On January 4, 2007, Nancy Pelosi made States. Victoria Woodhull ran in 1872 Americans were ready to elect a history, breaking the marble ceiling to and Belva Lockwood ran in 1884, woman as president. Only 61 percent become the first woman to serve as before women even had the constitu- said yes. Speaker of the United States House of tional right to vote. In 1964, Sen. Representatives. For the last four years, Margaret Chase Smith, the first woman Social scientists will tell you that this Nancy Pelosi has led House Democrats to serve in both the House and Senate, question is far more revealing than the with remarkable effectiveness as House also was the first woman to be nomi- first. Today, very few people would Democratic Leader. Elected in 2003 as nated by one of the two major parties. outright admit that they would not vote the first woman to lead a major political At the Republican National for a woman, so the first question tells party in Congress, Pelosi has built con- Convention, she came in second us nothing. It is quite striking that sensus and unified the Democratic cau- behind Barry Goldwater. almost 40 percent of the country does cus. A recent study by Congressional not think America is ready for a woman Quarterly found that “over the past half- Rep. Shirley Chisholm, the first president. What this is really telling us century, Democrats in the House were African American woman elected to is that there still are many people who never more unified” than they were Congress, ran in 1972. The other have serious doubts about voting for a under Pelosi in 2005, voting together a Democratic candidates tried to exclude woman. record 88 percent of the time. her from the televised debates, so she secured a federal court order that It also does not help when political Pelosi comes from a strong family tradi- allowed her to participate. Rep. Pat pundits and talking heads in the media tion of public service. Her father, Schroeder announced her candidacy in not only say that Hillary Clinton is une- Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr., served as 1987. Unfortunately, instead of being lectable, but that her loss will ensure Mayor of Baltimore for 12 years, after known for running for president, she is that we will never have a woman presi- representing the city for five terms in well-known for the famous photo of dent. When Bob Dole lost in 1996, I Congress. Her brother, Thomas her crying when she announced she don't recall hearing anyone say he had D'Alesandro III, also served as Mayor of was dropping out. In the 2000 cam- forever ruined it for white men over the Baltimore. paign, Elizabeth Dole was a presiden- age of 70. Somebody had better break tial contender. Sen. Carol Moseley that news to John McCain. Pelosi graduated from Trinity College in Braun, the first African American Washington, D.C. She and her husband, woman to serve in the Senate, ran in The Citizen Political Ambition Study Paul Pelosi, a native of San Francisco, 2004. found that when someone says they have five grown children: Nancy should run for office, men and women Corinne, Christine, Jacqueline, Paul and There probably is no simple answer to were equally likely to consider it. Alexandra, and six grandchildren. the question of why we have never However, women were far less likely to While raising her five children prior to elected a woman to our highest office, be told to run, even by their own her election to Congress, Pelosi served but Laura Liswood, co-founder of the spouses. This does suggest, however, in a number of positions including Chair White House Project and the Council that the solution is quite simple. Tell of the California Democratic Party. She of Women World Leaders, probably women to run. has represented California's Eighth has one of the best explanations. District, which includes most of San Francisco, since 1987. 4 Described by congressional expert As a senior member of the powerful Drew Gilpin Faust Norman Ornstein as one of “the most House Appropriations Committee, savvy political figures around,” Pelosi Pelosi was the leading proponent for Harvard names Drew G. Faust as its and Congressional Democrats have women, children and families, and the 28th president offered a New Direction for America, disabled. She won increased funding which calls for strengthened national for breast cancer research, doubled the February 11, 2007 security, a competitive economy, budget for National Institutes of expanded health care and educational Health, and is a vigorous supporter of Drew G. Faust, an eminent historian and opportunities, energy independence, a life saving stem cell research. Since outstanding academic leader who has secure retirement, tough fiscal disci- her first term in Congress, Pelosi has served since 2001 as the founding dean of pline to stop deficit spending, and strict been a leader in the fight against the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced congressional ethics and lobbying HIV/AIDS, promoting increased fund- Study, will become the twenty-eighth reform. ing for research and treatment that has president of Harvard University, effective extended the lives of millions, and July 1. Pelosi has pledged to restore integrity supporting efforts to develop an HIV and civility to the People's House and vaccine. An expert on the Civil War and the preside over the most honest and open American South, and the leading figure in Congress in history. As Leader, Pelosi Throughout her career, Pelosi has led Radcliffe's transformation from a college authored principles for civility to bipartisan efforts for international into one of the country's foremost schol- reduce partisanship in House opera- human rights in all parts of the world, arly institutes, Faust was elected to the tions and to ensure the rights of the including China, Central America, Harvard presidency today by the members minority in all House activity. She also Tibet and most recently in the Sudan. of the Harvard Corporation, with the con- developed the Democratic Honest sent of the University's Board of Leadership-Open Government initia- For six years, Pelosi served on the Overseers. tive to cut the ties between lobbyists Committee on Standards of Official and legislators. Pelosi believes that by Conduct (Ethics Committee). She was The appointment concludes a search restoring high ethical standards and one of four House Members to serve launched in the spring of 2006, involving civility in congressional operations, on an Investigative Subcommittee to far-reaching consultation with faculty, stu- Congress can better address the priori- examine the conduct of former dents, staff, alumni, and others nation- ties of all Americans. Speaker Newt Gingrich and a member wide. Pelosi brings to the Speaker's role 19 of the bipartisan task force to update years of experience representing San Ethics Rules and Procedures. "This is a great day, and a historic day, for Francisco in the House, achieving a Harvard," said James R. Houghton, the distinguished record in intelligence and One of Pelosi's proudest accomplish- senior member of the Harvard security initiatives, family and child ments was assuring the preservation of Corporation and chair of the presidential policy, health care, human rights and the Presidio National Park of San search committee. "Drew Faust is an environmental policy. Francisco as the nation's largest urban inspiring and accomplished leader, a national park. This law created a pub- superb scholar, a dedicated teacher, and a As the longest-serving member of the lic-private partnership to ensure the wonderful human being. She combines a House Permanent Select Committee on Presidio would achieve self-sufficien- powerful, broad-ranging intellect with a Intelligence, Pelosi has worked to cy while providing access to the park demonstrated capacity for strong leader- ensure that policymakers and military and its exquisite beauty. A leader on ship and a talent for stimulating people to commanders are provided with timely the environment at home and abroad, do their best work, both individually and and accurate intelligence. She has led Pelosi authored the provision in the together. She knows Harvard and higher efforts to strengthen our national intel- International Development and education, and her interests extend to the ligence by increasing the diversity and Finance Act of 1989 requiring the whole of the University, across the arts capabilities of intelligence officers and World Bank and other development and sciences and the professional by promoting innovative technologies banks to review and publicize the domains." to improve our national security. In the potential environmental impacts of wake of 9/11, Pelosi authored legisla- development projects they fund. This "Through her service as founding dean of tion to creates the bipartisan, independ- “Pelosi Amendment” has become a the Radcliffe Institute, she has shown ent 9/11 Commission and led congres- significant tool for indigenous, non- uncommon skill in designing and fulfill- sional reviews of the U.S. intelligence governmental organizations around the ing a forward-looking agenda of institu- and security agencies. Under her lead- world. tional change," said Houghton. "Through ership, Democrats have committed to her decades as a leading faculty member fully implementing the 9/11 http://speaker.gov/about/ at Penn and at Harvard, she has invested Commission recommendations in the herself in both education and research first 100 hours of the new Democratic with passion, imagination, and a devotion Congress. to the highest ideals of academic life." 5 "Drew wears her extraordinary accom- During Faust's deanship, Radcliffe's flag- Society of American Historians' Francis plishments lightly," said Houghton. "Her ship fellowship program has become a Parkman Prize, honoring the year's best many admirers know her as both collab- prized opportunity for established and nonfiction book on an American theme. orative and decisive, both open-minded emerging scholars throughout the aca- and tough-minded, both eloquent and demic world. The Institute currently As dean of Radcliffe, Faust has been an understated, both mindful of tradition receives nearly 800 applicants for influential member of Harvard's and effective in leading innovation. Her approximately 50 annual positions as fel- Academic Advisory Group, which qualities will serve Harvard well as we lows, and more than 45 Harvard faculty brings together the president, provost, plan ambitiously for the future - not only members have held Radcliffe fellowships and deans to consider matters of uni- in the college but across the schools, not since 2001. Radcliffe also engages the versity policy. A devoted teacher and only in the sciences but across the disci- broader Harvard community in a variety mentor, she is currently leading an plines and professions, not only in of ways. Working with Harvard depart- undergraduate seminar on the Civil War Allston but throughout our campus. We ments, the Institute has mounted annual and Reconstruction. In the spring of share with Drew an enthusiastic commit- science conferences on such topics as tis- 2005, she oversaw the work of ment to building on Harvard's strengths, sue engineering, privacy and security Harvard's Task Forces on Women to bridging traditional boundaries, and to technology, and computational biology. Faculty and on Women in Science and embracing a world full of new possibili- Undergraduates participate in the life of Engineering. In 2004, she served on the ties." the Institute through the Research Allston Task Force on Undergraduate Partners Program, which pairs students Lif. "I am deeply grateful for the trust the with Radcliffe fellows. governing boards have placed in me," Before coming to Harvard, Faust served said Faust. "I will work with all my "Drew Faust is a historian with her eyes for 25 years on the faculty of the heart, together with people across on the future," said Susan L. Graham, University of Pennsylvania. She was Harvard, to reward that trust." the Pehong Chen Distinguished appointed as assistant professor in the Professor of Electrical Engineering and Department of American Civilization in "I am a historian," she said. "I've spent a Computer Science Emerita at the 1976, associate professor in 1980, and lot of time thinking about the past, and University of California at Berkeley, full professor in 1984. She was named about how it shapes the future. No uni- president of Harvard's Board of the Stanley Sheerr Professor of History versity in the country, perhaps the world, Overseers for 2006-07, and a member of in 1988, then served as the Annenberg has as remarkable a past as Harvard's. the presidential search committee. "As Professor of History from 1989 to And our shared enterprise is to make an academic, I've been particularly 2000. She chaired the Department of Harvard's future even more remarkable impressed with how Drew has shaped a American Civilization for five years, than its past. That will mean recognizing robust role for science in building the and was director of the Women's and building on what we already do Radcliffe Institute, while playing an Studies Program from 1996 to 2000. well. It will also mean recognizing what active role in important activities She was twice honored at Penn for her we don't do as well as we should, and throughout the University. As an distinguished teaching, in 1982 and not being content until we find ways to Overseer, I've admired her remarkable 1996. do better." talent for creating a sense of common enterprise, for setting ambitious goals, While at Penn, Faust served on a broad As the first dean of the Radcliffe for fostering multidisciplinary collabora- array of university committees, in such Institute, Faust has guided the transfor- tion, and for advancing the Institute's areas as academic planning and budg- mation of Radcliffe from a college into a agenda. As an alumna, I have come to ets, academic freedom, human wide-ranging institute for advanced know her as someone who cares deeply resources, the university archives, and study. Under her leadership, Radcliffe about enhancing the educational experi- intercollegiate athletics. She was a has emerged as one of the nation's fore- ence of our students and creating a sense member of Penn's presidential search most centers of scholarly and creative of intellectual excitement that will con- committee in 1993-94 and chaired the enterprise, distinctive for its multidisci- tinue to draw great people and great presidential inaugural committee in plinary focus and the exploration of new ideas to Harvard." 1994. From 1988 to 1990 she chaired knowledge at the crossroads of tradition- the President's Committee on al fields. In recognition of its roots in Since coming to Harvard, Faust has con- University Life, which addressed such Radcliffe College, the Institute maintains tinued to write and lecture on the history issues as diversity on campus, interac- a special commitment to the study of of the American South and the Civil War. tion among faculty, students, and staff, women, gender, and society. To support Her sixth book, This Republic of and Penn's relations with its neighbor- its mission, Faust has directed a compre- Suffering, forthcoming in 2008, consid- ing community. hensive administrative restructuring, ers the impact of the Civil War's enor- secured the Institute's finances, attracted mous death toll on the lives of nine- Raised in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, major new gifts, and undertaken an teenth-century Americans. Her fifth Faust went on to attend Concord extensive renovation of Radcliffe's his- book, Mothers of Invention: Women of Academy in Massachusetts. She toric campus. the Slaveholding South in the American received her bachelor's degree from Civil War (1996), was awarded the Bryn Mawr in 1968, magna cum 6 laude with honors in history, and her Feminism in Pop Culture The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970- master's degree (1971) and doctoral 1977) degree (1975) in American civilization I Am Woman from the University of Pennsylvania. The biggest milestones in pop femi- nism Faust has been active both as a mem- By Rachel Giese ber of nonprofit boards and in a range March 8, 2005 of professional societies. She is a This was one of the first TV shows to fea- trustee of the Andrew W. Mellon Feminism may seem to have as much ture a single working woman as its title Foundation, the National Humanities connection to pop culture as, well, a fish character, a fledgling TV producer who was Center, and Bryn Mawr College, where has to a bicycle. But since the beginning, “gonna make it after all.” Mary was both she chaired the trustee committee on the women's movement has had a savvy nervous and strong-willed. She happily student life from 1998 to 2003. She grasp of the power of pop: think about lived alone in an adorable bachelor apart- also serves on the educational advisory the punk rock antics of the protest of the ment and spent the night with her dates (a board of the Guggenheim Foundation. 1968 Miss America pageant, or Gloria television first), but found it difficult to She was president of the Southern Steinem's stylish mini skirts and aviator stand up to her gruff boss. Depicting Mary's Historical Association in 1999-2000, glasses. And the feeling was mutual: no struggle to balance feminism with feminini- vice president of the American sooner had The Feminine Mystique ty, the show perfectly captured the reality Historical Association from 1992 to author Betty Friedan identified the of women who were beginning to assert 1996, and an executive board member “problem that has no name” than enter- themselves in traditionally male arenas. of both the Organization of American tainment industry executives wondered if Historians and the Society of American there was money to be made in solving Helen Reddy, I am Woman (1971) Historians from 1999 to 2002. Faust it. In honour of International Women's This unbridled feminist anthem appeared has also served on numerous editorial Day, March 8, here's a look at some of on Reddy's debut album, I Don't Know boards and selection committees, the most significant convergences of How to Love Him, and was a breakthrough including the jury for the Pulitzer Prize feminism and popular culture. hit for the singer. Declaring “I am woman in history in 1986, 1990, and 2004 hear me roar, in numbers too big to ignore,” (chair). She is an elected member of The Phil Donahue Show (1969-1974) Reddy made female listeners feel as strong the American Academy of Arts and and invincible as she did. Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and the Society of American Maude (1972-1978) Historians. One of Norman Lear's watershed social issues sitcoms from the 1970s, Maude was Founded in 1636, Harvard University a spinoff of All in Family and starred Bea is the oldest institution of higher edu- Arthur as an outspoken feminist. Tackling cation in the United States and a hot-button issues like menopause, racism worldwide leader in education and If your suburban, stay-at-home mom was and classism, the show became an instant research. It comprises nine faculties, in talking about multiple orgasms, abortion hit. Most notably, in the first season, 47- the arts and sciences, business, design, or natural childbirth in the early 1970s, it year-old Maude had an abortion. This had divinity, education, government, law, was probably because she heard about it never happened on American television medicine, and public health, together on this groundbreaking talk fest. Phil before - and it was another 32 years before with the Radcliffe Institute for Donahue, the original “sensitive man,” another character on U.S. network TV had Advanced Study and an array of muse- once said that his show “got lucky an abortion (on the WB drama Everwood). ums, research centers, and the largest because we discovered early on that the university library system in the world. usual idea of women's programming was Pam Grier in Coffey (1973) and Foxy The president is the chief academic a narrow, sexist view.” Donahue trusted Brown (1974) and administrative officer of the that his female audience had brains and Even the silliest of B-movie schlock was University. opinions, and thus created a televised elevated by Grier's riveting and intelligent consciousness-raising group each after- screen presence. But it wasn't until she http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2 noon, covering such taboo topics as starred as a vengeance-seeking nurse 007/02.15/99-president.html homosexuality, domestic violence and named Coffey (“She'll cream you!”) in this abortion. Donahue's show stayed on the pair of blaxploitation films that she became air, in various incarnations, until the mid- a bona fide cult star. Whether she was 1990s. Though Donahue was eclipsed (to karate-kicking pimps or gunning down drug put it mildly) by Oprah Winfrey in the dealers, Grier's girl power was explosive, 1980s, he remains a pioneer in populariz- appealing to black and feminist audiences. ing women's issues through the power of At the height of her fame, she appeared on television. both the cover of Ms. Magazine and in a nude spread in Playboy. 7 Charlie's Angels (1976-1981) Thelma & Louise (1991) Xena: Warrior Princess (1995-2001) This harbinger of so-called “jiggle TV” and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997- featured a trio of sexy female crime 2003) fighters who worked for a mysterious Sci-fi and fantasy conventions got a patriarch named Charlie, going under- whole lot sexier in the 1990s, when these cover as convicts, prostitutes and roller- two chick-driven TV series were derby queens in order to save an inno- launched. The first, Xena: Warrior cent victim, usually another woman. Princess, set in ancient Greece, followed Embodying the tensions that existed as This much-discussed movie starred Susan a reformed warlord on her quest to atone women entered traditional male jobs, the Sarandon and Geena Davis as a pair of for her past crimes. The second, Buffy premise was equal parts exploitation and friends who find an unexpected liberation the Vampire Slayer, told the story of a liberation. The angels appeared in biki- on the lam after one shoots a would-be contemporary California teenager with a nis and wet T-shirts as often as possible, rapist. Critics were split into two camps: gift for battling evil creatures. With an yet they were portrayed as smart, strong those who saw it as a smart and lively eye to camp - and, in Buffy's case, with and more than capable of holding their reinvention of the buddy/road movie; and some astute social commentary - both own against bad guys. those who read it as a violent, anti-male series played with the machismo of the polemic. (One reviewer called it “Bitch genre and upended the cliché of the Nine to Five (1980) Cassidy and the Sundress Kid.”) With its weak female victim. loving portrayal of friendship and its ambiguous ending, the film gave new Sex and the City (1998-2004) meaning to the observation that “freedom is just another word for having nothing left to lose.”

Riot grrls (1990s) An offshoot of the grunge and punk This satirical workplace revenge romp scenes, the Riot Grrl movement created a played perfectly to the frustrations of the female-friendly culture of bands, zines, Following the dating lives of four mod- growing female workforce in the 1980s. fashion and festivals within the macho ern Manhattanites, this bellwether HBO It starred Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and trappings of the alternative music world. television series tackled everything from Dolly Parton as (respectively) a strug- Inspired by pioneering musicians like the pleasures of twentysomething men gling divorcee, an ambitious career Patti Smith, groups like Bikini Kill, and the pitfalls of the perfect-on-paper woman and a secretary fending off her Bratmobile, L7, Tribe 8 and Sleater- marriage to the pain of infertility and the sleazy superior's advances. The women Kinney rose out of musical hotbeds like struggle of coping with breast cancer. wind up kidnapping their male chauvin- Seattle and Olympia, Wash., as well as Underneath the fluff veneer of Manolos ist boss and smashing the glass ceiling San Francisco and Washington, D.C. and Cosmopolitans, the show was a post- to bits when they successfully overhaul feminist celebration of independence, the office in his absence. What's Love Got To Do With It (1993) sexual exploration and sisterly solidarity.

Eurythmics, Sisters are Doing it For Destiny's Child, Independent Women, Themselves (1985) Pt. 1 (2000)

Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne gave two of the best performances of their careers in this 1993 biopic of Ike Building on the radio-friendly feminism As the Scottish band was transforming and Tina Turner - the music world's ver- of 1980s and 1990s pop/hip-hop/soul itself from Euro artsies to international sion of The Burning Bed. With a rock- acts like Salt-n-Pepa and TLC, Destiny's pop stars, singer Annie Lennox released hard body and an attitude to match, Child penned this song for the 2000 film this thumping disco duet with Aretha Bassett played Turner as a battered soul version of Charlie's Angels. Directing Franklin, triggering the Motown survivor who fights her way back from “all the honeys making money” to majesty's 1980s comeback. The song, abuse, divorce and destitution to find “throw your hands up at me,” the song which declared that women “were stand- inner peace and a place at the top of the honours women who pay their bills, buy ing on their own two feet and ringing on music charts. Whether she's growling their own shoes and who are “50-50 in their own bells,” remains a staple at through Proud Mary, dancing like a high- relationships.” Women's Day events and Take Back the heeled dervish or finally giving Ike the Night marches. whaling he deserves, Bassett gave female http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/iamwoman. empowerment a rock and roll bite. html 8 Musings a kiss, changed the topic of conversation of my education about sex anyway. Eight Submissions by Women's Center staff, when it was getting too out of hand, or years later I am still learning about my employees and supporters how I had made excuses to leave. These body, who I am as a sexual being, where are all ways of expressing my discom- my boundaries lie. Instead of a certificate Consent: When It Comes To Sex, fort, making these situations non-consen- with my name embossed in raised black Saying No Can Be Mistaken For Yes sual. I had spent so much time beating letters, I get a little more comfortable in By Kate Brown myself up for "letting this happen," plac- my own skin when I learn something ing all the blame on myself. I had been new about myself or come to understand When I was ten, my DARE teacher, saying No for years, and feeling con- something once frustrating. Like this Officer Engold, told us to just “Say No”. fused and upset with myself for just as whole Saying No Business. He brought samples of drugs, so that we long. would know what we would be getting ourselves into if we were ever offered I started talking with other women about Inside the Women's Center drugs. I remember 25 fifth graders saying No. I talked to them about feeling By Rory Warde crowded around Engold's display case, silenced, being pressured by someone to enticed by the forbidden. Every one of us engage in (unwanted) physical activity During my second year as a freshman, I wondering if we would ever have the and not being able to speak, opening the was in hopes of finding a new job. chance to say No and make him proud or mouth with nothing coming out. We dis- Honestly, I crossed my fingers on getting maybe if we would ever have a chance to cussed how our lives seem to be about a job in the Women's Center. My main say Yes. pleasing people and how our lives seem motive was to try to understand women to be all about saying "Yes" all the time, and LGBT issues in the campus commu- Unlike Officer Engold with his case of and never saying No. The discussion nity and the country. My first semester of illegal substances, I barely remember the always led to the mentality of just work was not what you would call a get- sex talk. I remember Xeroxed quizzes "Getting through it": Kissing someone or to-know-my-co-workers environment. about how babies are made. I remember what have you just to get them off your Why? Well, 1) I started in the middle of talking about condoms and birth control back. It feels easier to just play the part the semester. 2) My hours were mostly in pills. Best of all, I remember that absti- than to say No. What are we so afraid the morning, so meeting my co-workers nence (from kissing-sex) is the best way of? What am I so afraid of? I can only was in little spoonfuls. 3) I was pretty to avoid any STDs, unwanted pregnan- speak for myself here: There is the seiz- nervous. I sometimes catch myself won- cies, depletion in self-respect, and fun. I ing fear of not being liked (sounds so dering if I should really be in the remember all of these things that make retro to say it out loud in an age where I Women's Center. I mean if it's named the sense on paper and seemed to be the feel women are more empowered than Women's Center, then it must be for biggest, most important issues. But ever, but here I am dealing with a seem- women only, right? something was left out: When did we talk ingly ancient problem). I suspect that no about consent? When did any teacher matter how many public service To my surprise, I was very wrong about ever talk about consent in middle school announcements there are about how a that. In actuality, the Women's Center is a or in high school? The one message I can woman should not need a person's lounge area where faculty and students glean from my education about consent approval to validate themselves, there is can talk. Also, this office has a wide vari- is "Just say No. No means no." The prob- still a void that needs to be filled by a lot ety of books about sexuality, relation- lem is that in our society NO actually of women and there will always be ships, race and the history of women that means MAYBE. It means TRY HARD- women who Get Through It, go along our high school text books seem to forget ER or if you could just WEAR THE with the sexual act because she feels (trust me, you'll hear more about the PERSON DOWN, you'll get your way. silenced or like she has no choice. books later).

I didn't figure out that No means No Not everyone is able to say No, but if As for me getting around to knowing my when it comes to sex until later in life. you look closely, more women than you co-workers, it's been said from many Only then did I figure out that I wasn't might think are saying No. With averted people outside looking in, that the being heard, which was weird, because eyes, blank expressions during sex, stiff Women's Center staff acts like close-knit the person I'd be saying it to would be bodies. Much different that my DARE family. Most of the co-workers talk and right next to me. The idea that there are experience, there was no t-shirt that came understand where each other comes other ways of saying No than just verbal with the completion of my Sex Ed. class. from, so by default, the environment communication was one that had not There was no ceremony with a gym full becomes a place of work and enjoyable been addressed until very recently in my of happy parents content in knowing that conversation. Getting to know my co- life. Like, I'm gonna say, last summer. In their child will never engage in illegal or workers like Chris, Courtney, Elyse, my head if you didn't say NO, you were self-destructive activity because now Jenny, Kate, Mat, Rachel, Sam, Sarah, saying Yes. With this reasoning, encoun- they Know Better. Instead parents lay in and Will make you appreciate the many ters I have had in my life which were their beds at the end of the day breathing students that work to plan events for the not consensual were permissible because sighs of relief that Everything Was campus community. It's kind of funny I did not say NO. I never thought about Explained. But now I can see that that knowing some people would consider the how I had turned my head away to avoid wasn't the completion. campus boring with the multitude 9 of events that are held every week. Book Review Activism Corner People should just get out there. By Rory Warde, Women’s Center Before I go too far off subject, I found Librarian that my co-workers in the Women's Center are very friendly. When I first You know you're working as a librarian started getting hours with my co-work- when your primary job hazard is paper- ers, I'm sure they were as unsure about cuts. You might be surprised to find that me as I was about them. When I was a lot of books in the Women's Center thinking “I wonder what I could say to aren't just about the great women in his- join in the discussion?” They could tory and homosexuality; though if you How can we support women have been thinking “I wonder what I are interested in those books, we have leaders? could do to make Rory actually say them. There are also many authors that something…anything?” Like I said spend their time writing about relation- Learn more about Hillary Clinton’s earlier, social interaction was not my ships, masculinity/femininity, and tell campaign for presidency in 2008, visit strong suit when I started working stories about living in different situa- her website at here. tions around the world. Here is a book that I had to stop and read for a week http://www.hillaryclinton.com I can't forget my two bosses. The first just because its title caught my eye: one is Kat who is in law school. She is Vote in the next Presidential open to talking about the ups and May I Kiss You?: I'm sure that in col- election! downs of going for a J.D. For a law lege we have all thought of that moment major like me it helps to hear from where your eyes meet with that Investigate Nancy Pelosi’s stances on someone who is going through the man/woman you have been seeing for a political topics by visiting her website process, so I can anticipate the chal- while and you just know that it's the at lenges ahead. Mandy is the other, or perfect moment to get that first kiss... importantly, the head of this work and it blows up in your face! Yeah, you http://www.house.gov/pelosi/ place. If you want to believe it or not weren't really expecting that were you? Mandy is a great leader. If you ever Well, I have to ask this: Have you ever Write to Harvard University’s get a chance to find out her past posi- just asked? Hey men, have you ever President’s Office to congratulate tions on this campus, you will be asked for a kiss on date? How about the Drew G. Faust: amazed. With Kat and Mandy working women out there? Well, if you never ask together to help build a closer and yourself these questions or even consid- President's Office more peaceful work station, I think I'll er them, then maybe you should get a ATTN: Drew G. Faust enjoy working here for a while. quick read of this book. May I Kiss Massachusetts Hall You? Goes into an in-depth look at dat- Cambridge, MA 02138 ing, respect, and communication and challenges you to take a different If you see a woman leader represented approach to the dating world. The book unfairly in the media, write a letter to gives little challenges from how to cor- the editor or media source explaining rectly read body language to how to how disrespectful the portrayal was. deal with rejection if you try any one of these methods. I could guarantee that this book will make you wonder why How can we support feminism you haven't used one of its suggestions. in pop culture? Pick it up today! Write to your local media outlets urging them to provide more coverage of feminist issues On the Web

See photos from Women’s Center events at: Visit the Women’s Center website at http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m http://www.ramapo.edu/studentlife/ 59/RCNJWomensCenter/ womenscenter/ Newsletter created by Elyse Jankowski for even more information! 10