What is Feminism?

Feminism is difficult to define because every women thinks differently about what it means to them. Feminism is a philosophy and movement, as some people call "grassroots" movement. There is misconception that feminism somehow involves a stereotypical image -when someone mentions the word, "Feminist", an image of lesbians or a tough, bitter and rebellious man-hater is pictured in many people's minds. Likewise, the stereotype roles define breadwinner who should be man and housewife who should be woman. In addition, there is misinformation about Feminism in every college campus as you may hear or see the rally, " Take Back the Campus". The rally is just propaganda campaign designed to discourage young women students in becoming feminists.

Feminism is "the movement toward the full social, political and economic equality of all people". (excerpts from feminist.com)

This is the goal of both men and women who want to be equal in their choices socially, politically and economically. Yes that is right, men can be feminists, too. The key word here is CHOICE. "The entire goal of feminism is the freedom to make choices, not so much what choice we make". (excerpts from feminist.com)

Feminism means:

• the ability to choose whether one wants to stay home and raise her children or pursue a professional career with equal pay.
  
  
• the ability to choose to vote for politicians who can promote non-discriminatory policies.
  
  
• having the freedom to choose reproductive rights including but not limited to the right to choose an abortion.
  
  
• the right to access to contraception
  
  
• having the freedom to choose maternity leave
  

In order to keep the choices available to women, it is important to keep on top of issues involving politics, religion, economics, education and health. It is vital of women's interests to keep the momentum going and prevent backsliding toward the re-establishment of the feminine mystique or 1950s family values. We must continue the progress in our society--it has been making toward equal opportunities, fair compensation for women in the labor market, and more equitable sharing of family between men and women. We demand more independence and greater economic security, no matter, being single or married.

Noticeably, a great number of women with children need to be more independent instead of depending on someone else to take care of them and their children. Women need to stop the cattiness, drama and gossip against each other. When Viagra pills first came out, many insurance companies immediately paid for it, while a few of the companies paid for birth control or contraception. The media does not help much, for example, look at the Desperate Housewives TV show.

A Brief Timeline of Feminism in the United States:

Before 1920s, women could not have most control of their rights:

Voting rights, ownership of their property, custody of their children, required to subordinate to their husbands, a few occupations available but female jobs only like clerks, maids, schoolteachers, or nurses. Single women could not sue or make contracts. Divorce was almost impossible until the late 18th century.

Republic Motherhood:
During the American Revolution war, women began to understand the principles of liberty and democracy. As a result of increased educational opportunities and running family businesses in the absence of husbands, the women adopted the new idea about freedom. However, The Declaration of Independence still remained in the male dominated colonies, stating, "all men are created equal".

Early Feminism:
In the mid-1830s, the early feminists, mostly Christians and Quakers, as active in the abolition movement initiated the advocacy skills for the first time. The women blamed men for restrictions of women and argued that the relationships between sexes were one-sided, oppressive, and controlling. This concept refers to securing the fundamental rights.

Early Women Movement:
About 260 women and 40 men gathered in the 1848 Seneca Falls convention to establish the Declaration of Sentiments in similar to the Declaration of Independence. This declaration drafted 12 resolutions. The convention was presided by a man, as women did not feel about their ability to run. Besides, the convention marked the beginning of the women's movement. Some issues were related to the abolition and temperance movement to eliminate slavery and consumption of alcohol, gain some rights for married women, and open doors to higher education but voting booths remained closed.

First-wave Feminism:
During the 19th and early 20th century, women's suffrage gained strength to fight after the 15th amendment was passed for black men to vote. Their chief goal was an amendment to the Constitution giving women the right to vote. Also they demanded equal education and equal employment opportunities for women. The outbreak of US civil war interrupted this movement and however, women focused on anti-slavery and other duties as though they suspended their feminist activity for four years. The first-wave feminism is ended upon the passage of the 19th Amendment to grant voting rights regardless of the voter's sex in 1919 as their major victory.

Second-wave Feminism:
Relating to the "sexual revolution" and Women's Liberation, 1960s and 1970s women fought for economic equality, the ability to have careers in addition to motherhood, or the right to choose not to have children like abortion rights and advocating the rights of female minorities. Also they focused mainly on the inclusion of women in traditionally male-dominated areas such as gender equality in the workplace, reproductive rights and women representation in the government. In addition, at the same time the lesbian women became recognized within the movement due to rise of the gay rights movement. Roe vs Wade as a landmark US Supreme Court case in 1973 legalized abortion. Unfortunately this case causes a divisive of women - Pro Choice and Pro Life. It is the most difficult controversy because of the constitutional right to privacy. This wave still continues in place today.

Third-wave Feminism:
After the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings and anti-abortion legislation, this movement is for the young women born in the 1960s and 70s who feel their personal experience of their history set them apart from older women (Second-wavers). Once Thomas was confirmed as Supreme judge, the Senate sent a clear message, "Shut up, even when you speak up we still don't listen anyway". This focuses on national heath care and child care as well as passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Today, Second-wavers and Third-wavers are in clash due to misunderstandings of Feminism but someday we will work together soon and revitalize our new movement.

It would take several decades to achieve equality between men and women. The issues we focus on:

Our Annual Holiday Gathering at the Three Chimneys Inn

Fifteen Deaf women enjoyed two warm fireplaces in the Morning room and then, helped themselves to sit down. Two nice men brought the trays around and served us all day with the wine, coffee and tea. There were some discussions about Feminism, issues about young women, and the election of two new board officers. They received a nice surprise gift, a variety of bath bomb. Enjoy the Photo album .

DWC would like to express thanks to former Board officers, Cinda Lautenschlegar and Debbie Swan. DWC members will sorely miss them very much.

The
Cliff House
Resort & Spa

Who's Who - Deaf Woman in Herstory

Laura Redden Searing

the first Deaf woman being a civil war correspondent and respected journalist

She was born in Somerset County , Maryland on February 9, 1840 and her family moved to St. Louis , Missouri . In 1851, after recovering from the spinal meningitis illness, she became profoundly deaf at the age of 10 and lost the power of speech. Despite she was unable to speak except hollow, deep, and dismal sounds; she retained her memory of sounds and her appreciation of rhythm. She early began writing verse, and contributed both prose and poetry to the press while attending the Missouri State Institution for the deaf and dumb (later Missouri School for the Deaf) at the age of 15. Throughout her life, she depended heavily on pencil and pad, or a small blackboard and chalk for communication. She also communicated in sign language with Deaf people.

For the 1858 class graduation commencement, Laura wrote a farewell poem and presented her speech. Both papers were published in the “American Annals of the Deaf” .

After publishing her first work for the church newspapers in St Louis and her patriotic poem, “Belle Missouri ”, the “St. Louis Post-Dispatch” newspaper editors liked her writing style and sent her to Washington , DC as war correspondent. It was common practice for female reporters to substitute the name of a man during the 19th century era. Laura adopted her pen name, “Howard Glyndon” but everyone knew her as someone quoted, “" Howard Glyndon," of the New York Evening Mail, is almost stone deaf, but is a dapper, bright-eyed and smart little woman, for all that” .

During the four years in the American civil war, she became well-known reporter with soldiers, generals including General Grant, and President Lincoln. See her letter (transcript) to President Lincoln to thank him for reading her poems.

In addition, she published her first two books during the wartime period. Then she traveled to Europe in 1865 and continued writing articles to some newspapers including “Times”. As she desired to improve her lipreading and speech, she attended the Clarke School for the Deaf for two years and met with Alexander Graham Bell. Her speech was improved noticeably but her lipreading was another story. However she attended the Whipple School for the deaf and dumb (later Mystic Oral School ) to meet with Zerah Whipple, founder. Unfortunately, due to her physical condition she cut short her study with Zerah. She never mastered lipreading.

Laura was married to Edward W. Searing, NY attorney in 1876. They resided in Sherwood , NY and had their daughter, Elsa. Until her health began to deteriorate, they moved to California in 1886.

Her writings and poems are available at some web sites.

DWC Board Council 2006

Featured Member Profile

Cassandra M. Boryslawskyj

A vivacious, passionate woman, Cassandra has long been a key member of Deaf Women of Connecticut (DWC). She has been actively involved in DWC since 1994, when she founded this organization, Connecticut Chapter, which later became DWC along with several Deaf women. Long before that, since 1985, Cassandra served as treasurer for Deaf Women United (DWU), a national organization during 1993 - 1997, and co-chaired the regional Northeast (later changed to New England) DWU conference in 1999.

In addition, Cassandra serves on the Technology committee for the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), and is currently in the process of setting up an advocacy organization, Communication Advocacy Network (CAN), which would advocate the rights of deaf and hard of hearing people in Connecticut .

Born to hearing parents, Cassandra is the third child of four children, three of whom are deaf, including Cassandra herself. She grew up in Madison, Connecticut and attended Mystic Oral School until she was mainstreamed at the age of 15. She then attended a public school, and eventually attended Northwestern CT Community College and Central Connecticut State University where she earned a major in mathematics and a minor in psychology. In 2003, Cassandra obtained a MBA in business administration and telecommunications management at the University of New Haven. After 17 years of working at an insurance company as an underwriter consultant, Cassandra established her own business as a web designer. Today, as a married mother of one son, she continues to run her web design business while staying very active in deaf advocacy organizations.

Growing up with no formal sign language skills, Cassandra struggled in school and in the community until she took formal sign language classes in college. Speaking was very difficult for Cassandra, despite tremendous efforts in speech therapy for many years. She finally found her voice in ASL, and from then on, she blossomed. Like many deaf people of her generation, she received little or no services in her mainstreaming experience in the 1970's. It wasn't until she attended NCCC that she became aware of deaf services such as interpreting and note taking.

This sparked her strong desire to become involved in deaf organizations such as NAD and DWC. Cassandra also wanted to be able to “be myself among other deaf women”. Cassandra also stressed that an organization such as DWC carries a need to support each other in a comfortable setting. When asked how she can remain so committed in her work with DWC, her reply was, “I am passionate about seeing deaf women to have the same equality as hearing women, as well as to men, both hearing and deaf.” Cassandra expressed her hopes and dreams for all deaf women. “I want to emphasize more recognition for deaf women and give them the awareness of more job opportunities. I want to eliminate the double oppression that deaf women face…eliminate the pressure of being deaf and also eliminate the pressure of being a woman.”

It is a big job for any one person but it is Cassandra's hope that with support, education and advocacy, deaf women everywhere can empower themselves to recognize their abilities to grow and change in positive ways, and also to help each other to do the same.

When asked to describe herself in just one word, Cassandra mulled over about it for a minute and then answered with a big grin, “inspirational!”

DWC needs your help for ideas!

We have some ideas for the year of 2006 but we are working on it now. Meanwhile we hope to hear from you by emailing your ideas to our DWC Board members and Coordinator.

Board Members:
Cassandra – cassandra@dwconline.org

Judy– judy@dwconline.org

Liz– liz@dwconline.org

June–june@dwconline.org

Assistant Coordinator:
Allison - allison@dwconline.org