Women Unbound: start-of-challenge meme (original post 10/31/09)

Step One in the Women Unbound challenge is to answer the following questions:

1. What does feminism mean to you? Does it have to do with the work sphere? The social sphere? How you dress? How you act?

Feminsists are women and men, we come in all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, races, religions, and creeds. To me it means giving women an equal chance to work, be safe, support their families, and have their voices heard. Women and men the world over should be judged on their actions, not on their sex/gender.

2. Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not?

I absolutely consider myself a feminist and I really dislike that 'feminist' is seen as a bad thing. I was raised in the 1960s and '70s so the concept of feminism was all around me as a child and adolescent. At times I have been loud about it, but now I feel that I work quietly for feminist rights on a daily basis by educating myself to be the best I can, standing up for what I feel is right, and by encouraging my students (both male and female) to be everything they can through reading, learning, and educating themselves.

3. What do you consider the biggest obstacle women face in the world today? Has that obstacle changed over time, or does it basically remain the same?

Hmmm...that's a tough one! I think women can often be their own biggest obstacles when we allow others to treat us badly, play down our talents, and don't take opportunities to speak out and be heard. However, I know that throughout the world, doing these things can be extremely difficult. But if women work together and take a stand, goals can be met and the lives of all can improve.

That said I'd also like to list poverty, lack of education, lack of healthcare, lack of jobs, and others and HUGE issues that women, particularly those in developing countries, must deal with on a daily basis. Once women are educated, things in societies tend to improve for everyone.