2008 Woodie Awards
Everyday Feminism
Karina Lyons
Issue date: 3/18/08 Section: Viewpoints
Just as there are everyday heroes in our lives, there are also everyday instances of feminism- and not the stereotypically, negatively-connotated feminism. I am talking about the everyday strength and empowerment of women. I have witnessed such strength in my everyday life as my mother and grandmother have passed on the flames of female empowerment through their actions and words. Through their strong influences, I have grown into a strong woman, which is reflected in my busy life. I am the president of Occidental's sorority, Delta Omicron Tau, a mentor to seventh and eighth grade girls through Occidental's Women and Youth Supporting Each Other program, marketing coordinator for a design competition firm in Beverly Hills, singer in Occidental's only student-run acapella group, newsletter editor of the Undergraduate Research Center, and finally, a writer for Ditz. I have shown strength and courage in my lifetime through putting a restraining order against a past boyfriend and continue to live everyday with the feminist spirit my female relatives instilled in me.
Feminism to me is a movement for the freedom of any personal choice and opportunity without the limitations of inequality, prejudice, or ceilings on personal choices and opportunities. Feminism is not necessarily solely expressed though literally marching and protesting for equality. Feminism can be marching to the beat of your own drum and fighting through the everyday battles for equality and empowerment. This feminism is shown and experienced through everyday strength and the battle for equality is expressed through everyday actions, never backing down from those in society who hold power, and always standing up for what is right, regardless of the consequences.
My mother was the first to show me female empowerment. She has a strong disposition and has never shied away from speaking her mind or sticking up for herself. Many people have viewed my mother as crazy-for having five children, for working the graveyard 12- hour shift in the Emergency Room in Oxnard. Despite all this, all of her children are heavily involved in sports and extracurricular activities, with her always volunteering as team or class mom. Modern day gender roles create a space for women to have careers, but also then expects them to balance it with a family life; my mother has conquered both with more than successful strides.
Feminism to me is a movement for the freedom of any personal choice and opportunity without the limitations of inequality, prejudice, or ceilings on personal choices and opportunities. Feminism is not necessarily solely expressed though literally marching and protesting for equality. Feminism can be marching to the beat of your own drum and fighting through the everyday battles for equality and empowerment. This feminism is shown and experienced through everyday strength and the battle for equality is expressed through everyday actions, never backing down from those in society who hold power, and always standing up for what is right, regardless of the consequences.
My mother was the first to show me female empowerment. She has a strong disposition and has never shied away from speaking her mind or sticking up for herself. Many people have viewed my mother as crazy-for having five children, for working the graveyard 12- hour shift in the Emergency Room in Oxnard. Despite all this, all of her children are heavily involved in sports and extracurricular activities, with her always volunteering as team or class mom. Modern day gender roles create a space for women to have careers, but also then expects them to balance it with a family life; my mother has conquered both with more than successful strides.
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Stephen Bent
posted 3/27/08 @ 1:01 AM PST
Um..."Occidental's only student-run acapella group"? 'scuse me?
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