A New Feminism? Not quite.

Without the reciprocity inherent in fraternity, ascendancy

into a full intellectual and activist life could not occur.

-Simone de Beauvoir

Once conform, once do what other people do because they

do it, and lethargy steals over all the fine nerves and faculties

of the soul.

-Virginia Woolf

In Women’s Ways of Leading, Mary Gardner and I refer to these realizations as the “awakening.” Both reciprocity and independence are the essence of life, of leadership, of entry into full civic and moral responsibility. The recent ascendence of conservative women has been dubbed by some as “a new feminism.” Religious and formerly quiet women are rising to the call of Sarah Palin, the new Elmer Gantry. Tea Party advocates of “no government” are pulling up women from the radical right who would trample the civil liberties of anyone who doesn’t agree with them.  Even independent, strong and successful women such as Carly Fiorina and Meg Whitman are riding the wave with strange bedfellows.

Why not call it a new feminism? I would offer a few reasons:

1. Feminism is about equal access to opportunity and engagement in civic life.
2. Feminism is about compassion for the less fortunate, with the full intent of raising all ships into a good quality life.
3. Feminists want their daughters and granddaughters to think, not follow.
4. Feminism is about control over one’s own body and choices. Determination of the “right” to hand over control of a woman’s body or relationship such as marriage to outside authorities such as the government or church is in direct contradiction to the “no government in our lives” mantra. Yes, Virginia (Woolf), these women are advocating just that.
5. Feminism is about influencing the world through positive means, modeling responsible action without destroying those who would work with us.
6. Feminism is about independent thought, not following dogma.

Yet, is it possible that, once women begin to become involved, even in questionable ways, that a real awakening could be in the offing? This morning my friend, Jeanne, reminded me that the majority of students in colleges today are women, so this may be the major path to awakening.  Could this be a transition to unveiling the mind?  I don’t know, but I’m sure thinking about it.

The education system should be founded on “unveiling the mind.” Unveiling means to remove the mask of ignorance and unquestioning compliance to reveal the inner power and knowledge….Women throughout the world, wisely awakening to this call for unveiling, find strength in their values and in themselves.

-Nawal El Saadawi, Egyptian feminist and author

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