Category Archives: Feminism and Politics

Hillary Clinton gets sworn in.

Posted on February 3, 2009 by Ann Bartow

Her related remarks are hilarious. Via TGW.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on Hillary Clinton gets sworn in.

“Despite Odds, Women’s Movement Persists In Iran”

Posted on February 1, 2009 by Ann Bartow

NPR story you can read and/or listen to here.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Feminism and Religion, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on “Despite Odds, Women’s Movement Persists In Iran”

Democratic Congress, Democratic President, so what’s the deal…

Posted on January 29, 2009 by Ann Bartow

With this? Historiann asks: Are women citizens of this republic? ETA: See also.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Reproductive Rights | 1 Comment

Iceland to Name First Lesbian Prime Minister

Posted on January 29, 2009 by Ann Bartow

From Yahoo News: Iceland’s next leader will be an openly gay former flight attendant who parlayed her experience as a union organizer into a decades-long political career. Both parties forming Iceland’s new coalition government support the appointment of Johanna Sigurdardottir, … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Firsts, LGBT Rights, Sisters In Other Nations | 2 Comments

Concerns about the draft American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Ann Bartow

Irasema Garza, President of Legal Momentum, writes: Today the House Democrats unveiled the near-final version of the economic stimulus package known as the  American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, with a vote expected as early as tomorrow. While it contains some … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Women and Economics | Comments Off on Concerns about the draft American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Inauguration Memories

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Ann Bartow

I am back from DC (yes, there is still snow in Chicago) and I have to tell you the inauguration was indescribable. Yes, I made it inside. Security was tight and the zoo at security in the colored zones (blue, … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on Inauguration Memories

Yasmeen Hassan, “A War on Pakistan’s Schoolgirls”

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Ann Bartow

From the WaPo: I have such fond childhood memories of summer holidays in the Swat Valley in Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province, a place well known among Pakistanis for its breathtaking views, cool summer climate and lush fruit orchards. But today … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, Feminism and Religion, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on Yasmeen Hassan, “A War on Pakistan’s Schoolgirls”

EQUALITY NOW CALLS ON THE UNITED STATES TO CONDITION AID TO PAKISTAN ON MEASURES TAKEN BY THE PAKISTANI GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT GIRLS AND ENSURE THEIR RIGHT TO EDUCATION

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Ann Bartow

From Equality Now: On 20 January 2009 Equality Now issued a News Alert calling on the Government of Pakistan to protect girls and ensure their right to education following growing fundamentalist pressure in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, Guest Blogger, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on EQUALITY NOW CALLS ON THE UNITED STATES TO CONDITION AID TO PAKISTAN ON MEASURES TAKEN BY THE PAKISTANI GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT GIRLS AND ENSURE THEIR RIGHT TO EDUCATION

Anna Quindlen, “The End of Swagger”

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Ann Bartow

Here are the first two paragraphs of Quindlen’s recent Newsweek column: As Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton begin to use their uncommon authority and intelligence to implement a new American international agenda, it might behoove them to read a … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Families, Feminism and Politics, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on Anna Quindlen, “The End of Swagger”

Vital Juncture for Women’s Rights Policy at the State Department

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Katherine Franke

In her confirmation hearing last week Hilary Clinton was asked by Barbara Boxer to talk about how she plans to use the office of the Secretary of State to better the”status of women in the world.”She was particularly interested in … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Acts of Violence, Coerced Sex, Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics | 1 Comment

The Obameter: Tracking Obama’s Campaign Promises

Posted on January 25, 2009 by Ann Bartow

From Politifact: PolitiFact has compiled about 500 promises that Barack Obama made during the campaign and is tracking their progress on our Obameter. We rate their status as No Action, In the Works or Stalled. Once we find action is … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Acts of Violence, Feminism and Politics, Feminism and Technology | 5 Comments

Well done, Gov. David A. Paterson

Posted on January 23, 2009 by Ann Bartow

From the NYT: Gov. David A. Paterson has selected Representative Kirsten Gillibrand, a 42-year-old congresswoman from upstate who is known for bold political moves and centrist policy positions, to fill the United States Senate seat vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton, … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on Well done, Gov. David A. Paterson

Senate Passes Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

Posted on January 23, 2009 by David S. Cohen

Yesterday, the Senate passed the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.   As has been written about many times on this blog, the bill would overturn the Supreme Court’s decision from 2007 that severely restricted equal pay claims by imposing an … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on Senate Passes Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

“He Is (Or, We Are)”

Posted on January 22, 2009 by Ann Bartow

Professor Lolita Buckner Inniss on the inauguration of President Obama.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Race and Racism | Comments Off on “He Is (Or, We Are)”

You might have missed the Rev. Gene Bishop’s invocation yesterday.

Posted on January 21, 2009 by Ann Bartow

Because it was excluded from the televised broadcast, possibly at the request of Obama’s Presidential Inauguration Committee, which if true, is infuriating. You can watch and listen to Bishop give the invocation via YouTube here: Via.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, LGBT Rights | Comments Off on You might have missed the Rev. Gene Bishop’s invocation yesterday.

The Women of San Francisco

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Ann Bartow

How about a shout out to the great women of San Francisco who led President-Elect Barack Obama into history today! Senator Dianne Feinstein and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, (not to mention Senator Barbara Boxer who featured in this post earlier this … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on The Women of San Francisco

FUNDAMENTALIST PRESSURE IN NORTH WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE OF PAKISTAN, HAS LED TO ALARMING VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST GIRLS AND WOMEN

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Ann Bartow

From Equality Now: In late December 2008 the Taliban ordered a ban on girls’ education in the district of Swat in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan.   The announcement made by an extremist cleric, Maulana Fazlullah through an … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, Feminism and Religion, Guest Blogger, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on FUNDAMENTALIST PRESSURE IN NORTH WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE OF PAKISTAN, HAS LED TO ALARMING VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST GIRLS AND WOMEN

“We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus : and non-believers.”

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Ann Bartow

I’ll leave others to unpack President Obama’s entire inaugural address. I just wanted to note with appreciation that he acknowledged “non-believers.” –Ann Bartow

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus : and non-believers.”

Joe Biden is still an idiot.

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Ann Bartow

Reason #8,765 or so. –Ann Bartow

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on Joe Biden is still an idiot.

“The Meaning of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday” by Coretta Scott King

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Ann Bartow

From The King Center web site: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. We commemorate as well the timeless values he taught us through his example … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Race and Racism | Comments Off on “The Meaning of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday” by Coretta Scott King

“Janie Goree, who broke barriers by becoming the first black woman to be elected mayor of a municipality in South Carolina, has died.”

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Ann Bartow

From The State, which also reports: Goree, the former mayor of Carlisle, died on Tuesday evening at age 87 at the Agape Senior center in West Columbia. The family was at Leevy’s Funeral Home in Columbia Thursday, finalizing funeral arrangements. … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Firsts, South Carolina | Comments Off on “Janie Goree, who broke barriers by becoming the first black woman to be elected mayor of a municipality in South Carolina, has died.”

What Tami Said!

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Ann Bartow

What Tami Said blog author Tamara Winfrey Harris has an interesting and provocative column here. Below is a short excerpt: Americans tout our egalitarian democracy to the world: anyone can be president, we say. But some of us know this … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Feminist Blogs Of Interest, Race and Racism | Comments Off on What Tami Said!

“Supporters of the ballot measure that banned gay marriage in California have filed a lawsuit seeking to block their campaign finance records from public view, saying the reports have led to the harassment of donors.”

Posted on January 15, 2009 by Ann Bartow

Interesting how some people are First Amendment absolutists up until the time that they are the ones getting hated on, and then suddenly harassment is seen as a problem that should have special remedies for themselves only. The quote heading … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, LGBT Rights | Comments Off on “Supporters of the ballot measure that banned gay marriage in California have filed a lawsuit seeking to block their campaign finance records from public view, saying the reports have led to the harassment of donors.”

The Kitchen Table: A Blog About “Race, Politics, Religion, Popular Culture”

Posted on January 15, 2009 by Ann Bartow

It’s pretty engaging! Informative and geeky, as you might expect from two academics, but also very amusing at times. Some posts are quite provocative, so if the prospect of reading opinions you strongly disagree with is alarming,   it’s not … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Academia, Feminism and Politics, Feminist Blogs Of Interest, Race and Racism | Comments Off on The Kitchen Table: A Blog About “Race, Politics, Religion, Popular Culture”

“Condemned men are buried in sand up to their waists, and women up to their necks, and are pelted with stones until they die or manage to escape. Under the law, a condemned person’s life is spared if he can free himself.”

Posted on January 13, 2009 by Ann Bartow

That’s a sentence from this WaPo article about stonings in Iran. Men have a lot better odds of escaping, obviously, though it’s still horrifying. The article also reports: In his weekly news conference, the judicial spokesman also said that Esha … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Acts of Violence, Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, Feminists in Academia, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on “Condemned men are buried in sand up to their waists, and women up to their necks, and are pelted with stones until they die or manage to escape. Under the law, a condemned person’s life is spared if he can free himself.”

South Korea accused of using women as prostitutes to prop up the country’s ecomony and keep U.S. soldiers “entertained.”

Posted on January 11, 2009 by Ann Bartow

The NYT reports: … Scholars on the issue say that the South Korean government was motivated in part by fears that the American military would leave, and that it wanted to do whatever it could to prevent that. But the … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Coerced Sex, Feminism and Politics, Sexism in the Media, Sisters In Other Nations | 1 Comment

Not Really Super

Posted on January 10, 2009 by Ann Bartow

ETA: Slate XX Factor readers, go here. The latest issue of Ms. Magazine has Barack Obama in a Superman pose, wearing a tee shirt that says “THIS IS WHAT A FEMINIST LOOKS LIKE,” as follows: Obama can greatly advance the … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on Not Really Super

Guest Blog Post: Christina Hoff Sommers on “What’s Wrong and What’s Right With Contemporary Feminism”?

Posted on January 7, 2009 by Bridget Crawford

Dear Readers, As a conservative feminist, I am often invited by members of the Federalist Society to speak at their law schools and take part in debates. Bridget Crawford, a moderator of the Feminist Law Professor blog, has kindly offered … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Culture, Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, Guest Blogger | 16 Comments

“Please Don’t Divorce Us”

Posted on January 5, 2009 by Ann Bartow

Very powerful photo stream opposing the wretched Prop. 8.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, LGBT Rights | Comments Off on “Please Don’t Divorce Us”

“One Gender’s Crash”

Posted on January 5, 2009 by Ann Bartow

Deborah Spar, President of Barnard College, writes in the WaPo: ..as the financial debacle unfolds, I can’t help noticing that all the perpetrators of the greatest economic mess in eight decades are, well, men. Specifically, they are rich, white, middle-aged … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Feminism and the Workplace, The Underrepresentation of Women | Comments Off on “One Gender’s Crash”

Indiana/Bloomington Law Prof Dawn Johnsen Nominated as Assistant AG for the Office of Legal Counsel

Posted on January 5, 2009 by Ann Bartow

This morning, Barack Obama announced that he intends to nominate Dawn Johnsen to be Assistant AG for the Office of Legal Counsel. A law prof at Indiana University, Johnson serves on the board of directors of the American Constitution Society … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Feminists in Academia | Comments Off on Indiana/Bloomington Law Prof Dawn Johnsen Nominated as Assistant AG for the Office of Legal Counsel

Harvard Law School Dean Elena Kagan To Be Obama’s Solicitor General.

Posted on January 5, 2009 by Ann Bartow

From this press release: Elena Kagan, Solicitor General Kagan, the Charles Hamilton Houston Professor of Law, is currently the 11th Dean of Harvard Law School.   Kagan first came to Harvard Law School as a visiting professor in 1999 and … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, Firsts | Comments Off on Harvard Law School Dean Elena Kagan To Be Obama’s Solicitor General.

Stimulating Gender Equality

Posted on January 5, 2009 by Katherine Franke

As politicians and pundits debate the need for and contents of an economic stimulus program early in the Obama Administration, one issue has gained less attention than it should, and the attention it has gotten is – to my mind … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Feminism and the Workplace | Comments Off on Stimulating Gender Equality

More About Rick Warren: Sexist As Well As Homophobic

Posted on January 2, 2009 by Ann Bartow

His homophobia has been widely discussed, but his sexism not as much. Bring yourself up to date here.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on More About Rick Warren: Sexist As Well As Homophobic

“WORLDWIDE GUIDE TO WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP”

Posted on December 31, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Here. Brief excerpt: Current female heads of state and government There are 192 members of the United Nations, 2 independent states outside, a few self-declared de-facto independent states and many self-ruling depencies. 22 have got female leaders at the moment. … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on “WORLDWIDE GUIDE TO WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP”

Equality Now: Take action to support women in Afghanistan and human rights organizations in Ethiopia

Posted on December 30, 2008 by Ann Bartow

From the FLP mailbox: Equality Now has just issued Women’s Action Update 21.6 in its Afghanistan campaign, re-iterating its call to the Afghan government to immediately and unconditionally reinstate to Parliament Malalai Joya, who was wrongly suspended for criticizing fellow … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on Equality Now: Take action to support women in Afghanistan and human rights organizations in Ethiopia

The Rick Warren Controversy

Posted on December 29, 2008 by David S. Cohen

Looking for some good reading on the Rick Warren inauguration controversy?   Here are some various takes from the opposing sides.   First, the pro-Obama/Warren side: Melissa Etheridge writes on the Huffington Post that those who are angry at Obama … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, LGBT Rights | Comments Off on The Rick Warren Controversy

Homophobic Clergyman Chosen To Give Invocation At Obama’s Inauguration

Posted on December 17, 2008 by Ann Bartow

People For the American Way President Kathryn Kolbert writes: Pastor Warren, while enjoying a reputation as a moderate based on his affable personality and his church’s engagement on issues like AIDS in Africa, has said that the real difference between … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Homophobic Clergyman Chosen To Give Invocation At Obama’s Inauguration

“Hillary Clinton, the Halo Effect, and Women’s Catch-22”

Posted on December 15, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Fantastic essay about women in politics here, at the Situationist. Below is a short excerpt: … After the final presidential debate between Obama and McCain, news anchor Katie Couric asked Hillary Clinton,”Why do you think Sarah Palin has an action … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on “Hillary Clinton, the Halo Effect, and Women’s Catch-22”

“A video conversation with civil rights leaders”

Posted on December 14, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Featuring the fabulous Veronica Arreola! Here at this site, which notes: In the aftermath of President-elect Barack Obama’s historic win, many commentators have said it will take time to understand the full significance of his ascendance to the presidency. To … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, LGBT Rights, Race and Racism | Comments Off on “A video conversation with civil rights leaders”

“A Crime Against Society” – Rape in the Congo

Posted on December 14, 2008 by Ann Bartow

“A Crime Against Society” is the title of an article written by Ann Jones that appeared inthe 12/10/08 issue of The Nation. Below are the first two paragraphs: Late one afternoon seven years ago, in the village of Kamanyola in … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Acts of Violence, Coerced Sex, Feminism and Politics, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on “A Crime Against Society” – Rape in the Congo

Feminists Don’t Care About The Women In Iran, And The Sexualized Mockery Of A Powerful Woman Politician Has Nothing To Do With The Stonings Of Women Who Are Deemed Too Sexual.

Posted on December 14, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Or so says Kathleen Parker in the WaPo. Who needs to start here. And then go here, and here, and here, and here, and here, where a reporter notes: Currently, in Iran, there are nine women sentenced to death by … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Sexism in the Media | Comments Off on Feminists Don’t Care About The Women In Iran, And The Sexualized Mockery Of A Powerful Woman Politician Has Nothing To Do With The Stonings Of Women Who Are Deemed Too Sexual.

“Letter from Women’s Historians to President Elect Obama” asking for gender equity in the proposed economic stimulus package.

Posted on December 12, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Friends and colleagues, Attached is a letter to President-elect Obama making a historical case for more attention to gender equity in the proposed stimulus package. It is based on a draft circulated by Linda Gordon with input from several others. … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Academia, Feminism and Politics, Feminist Legal History, Women and Economics | Comments Off on “Letter from Women’s Historians to President Elect Obama” asking for gender equity in the proposed economic stimulus package.

William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 Passes House and Senate, But Offers Less Protection To Victims Compared with the 2007 House Version.

Posted on December 12, 2008 by Ann Bartow

And the impetus for watering down the bill was of course Joe Biden, in collusion with Sam Brownback. The text of the 2008 version of the bill can be found here. The major changes in the 2008 version were in … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Acts of Violence, Coerced Sex, Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 Passes House and Senate, But Offers Less Protection To Victims Compared with the 2007 House Version.

Today is Jane Addams Day!

Posted on December 10, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Learn more here! In light of yesterday’s events in Illinois, it is good to be reminded of all the good that civic minded people can do. Of course, we would all have to do an awful lot to match the … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Culture, Feminism and Families, Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on Today is Jane Addams Day!

“Afropublicrats and a More Perfect Love (Or, Living Wrong and Voting Right)”

Posted on December 7, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Read the new post by this title by Lolita Buckner Inniss here.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Feminism and Religion, LGBT Rights, Race and Racism | Comments Off on “Afropublicrats and a More Perfect Love (Or, Living Wrong and Voting Right)”

That’s an Obama speechwriter on the left.

Posted on December 6, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Charming, huh? From this WaPo story: Question No. 58 in the transition team vetting document for the Obama White House asks that applicants: “Please provide the URL address of any websites that feature you in either a personal or professional … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on That’s an Obama speechwriter on the left.

New Blog: Suggestions4Obama.com

Posted on December 6, 2008 by Ann Bartow

From the FLP mailbox: As its name suggests, Suggestions4Obama.com is a venue to allow anyone to offer suggestions for Obama and his upcoming administration. Users may offer their suggestions, tips and advice on various critical issues such as foreign policy, … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on New Blog: Suggestions4Obama.com

The Feminist Majority Political Action Committee has endorsed Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) to fill the US Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Posted on December 6, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Press release here. With Biden out of the Senate, the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act has a better chance of making it to the floor of the Senate. Elevating Rep. Maloney to the Senate would improve the bill’s … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on The Feminist Majority Political Action Committee has endorsed Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) to fill the US Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Obama: Ratify the Women’s Convention Soon

Posted on December 6, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Nearly 30 years after President Jimmy Carter signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the United States remains the only democracy that refuses to ratify the most significant treaty guaranteeing gender equality. One … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on Obama: Ratify the Women’s Convention Soon