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The
Activist Issue
Keeping the Flame Alive
Take inspiration from the lives and work of six women
whose passion for justice and commitment to their communiities
make the world a better place for all.
- Kitchen
Table Candidate: Winona LaDuke
-Speak Truth to Power: Kek Galabru, Wangari Maathai, Senal
Sarihan, Maria Teresa Tula
- Street Fighting Woman: Cheri Honkala
- Mementos of a Movement: Coline Jenkins-Sahlin
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MS.CELLANEOUS:
-Word:
Bush
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Honey,
Disney Shrunk the Kids
What's in your child's VCR these days? We asked progressive
parents and their kids what they watch. The answers might
surprise you. |
SHE
SAYS
Dorothy Roberts talks about reproductive rights in black
and white. |
YOUR
WORK
Women and Venture Capital: Women vie for a place in
the world of high-tech venture capital.
Work
Notes: Grrl power to Scotland ASAP and more |
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Editor's
Page: Making Mischief |
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Ms
News
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| TECHNO.FEM:
Digital Divide |
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Books:
-Guess
Who's Coming to Dinner Now?, by Angela Dillard
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Toy Guns, by Lisa Norris
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Boy Still Missing, by John Searles
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Nickel and Dimed, by Barbara Ehrenreich
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Women and Popular Music, by Sheila Whiteley
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-First
Person: Give Me Shelter
-Columns: Daisy Hernandez, Patricia Smith and Gloria
Steinem |
Call
for Woman of the Year
Tell us who you think should be recognized in this special
issue. |
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During the weeks when the Florida vote was being contested,
my e-mails went into overdrive. They moved to warp speed when
the president "elect" announced his cabinet, especially
the nomination of John Ashcroft for Attorney General. My phone
rang off the hook when George II reinstated the global gag rule
(don't discuss or advise on abortion, much less provide one)
on all international agencies receiving U.S. government funds.
Next the initiative on race got the boot and then there was
the brouhaha about keeping or closing the Office of National
AIDS Policy.
I shudder to think what may happen during the weeks between
my writing this and the magazine reaching you. But I have no
illusions about what life with Mr. "can't we all be civil"
in the White House is going to be like. While he rhapsodizes
about compassionate conservatism in carefully crafted speeches
in Hallmark-cute settings, his administration will be eviscerating
environmental and worker-related rights and protections; stroking
mega-businesses; undermining Roe v. Wade and the remains of
affirmative action; ignoring calls for racial, gender, and economic
justice; packing the courts; and widening the gap between the
haves and have-nots.
No matter that he didn't win the popular vote, George II and
his merry band are banking on our running out of steam in the
face of their indifference. I heard an echo of that in the plaintive
"What are we going to do?" comments from some folks who
seemed inclined to hibernate for four years.
My nana used to say, "We'll sleep in eternity but we work while
we live." And the work isn't just about what we do to put food
on the table and a roof over our heads. It's what we do to make
this world livable for ourselves and for others. We dream, and
work to make dreams reality. We hope, and work to breathe hope
into life. We believe in justice, equality, and opportunity
for all. So we stand up for our beliefs and work for them —
tearing down the walls that prevent access, breaking through
the doors that keep so many at bay, challenging and changing
bad laws and lawmakers and supporting the good ones.
That doesn't mean living life on a somber note. In the midst
of those serious and angry e-mails, phone calls, and conversations,
there were plenty of jokes and laughter. It's the laughter that
leads to creative, mischievous activism, like folks sending
donations to repro-rights groups in George II's name for President's
Day — and sending him a card announcing the good news.
It's the kind of action that the late, great Flo Kennedy would
have loved. Just as she would be challenging us to move our
"activist asses," she would also be encouraging us to dance,
laugh, and have a good time raising hell. An indefatigable champion
of justice, Flo, who would have been 85 this year, was fierce,
fearless, funny, full of love and a zest for life. She was the
first free woman I ever met.
In this issue, Gloria Steinem pays tribute to Flo Kennedy, who
died at the end of last year. And knowing that we are going
to be challenged on so many fronts in the months, and years
to come, we're profiling a number of women, activists all, who
are standing up, speaking out, and meeting the challenges in
their corners of the world. Although most of us will never face
the dangers these women do, we do our part, standing up to the
politicians, in our communities (sometimes in our own families),
our school boards and state houses, our places of work, worship,
and play. So sisters, let's laugh and dance and shake our activist
asses, make mischief and make sure that George II knows we won't
be silenced, won't be passive, and won't be stopped.
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