Feminists? Any here?

[Jewell]

I was wondering if there are any self proclaimed feminists out there? I'd assume so since this is a women's cycling site. (or womyn if you prefer!)

Did you know that bicycling revolutionized and liberated women unlike any other invention! It allowed us to be mobile when women were allowed to do little but keep after a house, look pretty, and wade hand if food to husband and child. No longer could women wear restricting corsets and huge overbearing skirts if they wished to ride bike, (can you imagine, riding so restricted) and so came bloomers. Women in trousers was an unseemly sight at the time and many of these women were accused of being prostitutes. It was the apparent masculinization of women that people feared.

Today, all of us ride bike and we all strive to give other women a place to go to talk about an activity that is still heavily dominated by men. So my feminist, raise your femifists!

[redrhodie]

Absolutely! I was lucky to be born in the late '60s, after a lot had already been accomplished, but I know the struggle that my mother's generation had. Because of them, growing up, I knew I could be whatever I wanted. I don't take that for granted.

In my personal experience I haven't seen any bias based on my gender, even on the bike.

[WrensMom]

Of course! After all, feminism is the belief that women are people. And I am the mother of 3 girls, all of whom I have the highest hopes and dreams for. It always floors me to encounter sexist attitudes from people with daughters

[Zen]

Did you know that bicycling revolutionized and liberated women unlike any other invention!

I'd say it's still serving that purpose but yes, it was quite scandalous at first for a woman to ride a bicycle.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

It's not so easy to separate 'feminist' women from 'non-feminist' women anymore. Certainly there is far less clearcut a difference as there was back in the 60's.
I mean, even a woman who feels '''a woman's place is in the home etc''' might surprise you in her ferocity to make sure her daughter gets a college degree or an equal-pay job. She might well be out there doing things that promote women's wellbeing in ways that might not be so obviously 'feminist' yet have a huge positive impact on women just the same. I have also met a few politically active feminists who fight all sorts of marvelous pro-women fights and yet they also do things unaware, things that are negative or unfair to certain kinds of women. I see glimpses of myself in both scenarios sometimes.

We are all are complex products of our infinite background experiences, and we all exhibit fascinating combinations of our various beliefs and passions.

I tend to look at the overall tone of society as opposed to trying to categorize people as being either on one side or the other. I do see a positive shift since 1960 in the general attitude of society towards women in some ways, and in other ways things have actually become worse. Sadly, sometimes even women themselves take an active part in their own trivialization. Yet ironically feminism is 'supposed' to support a woman's choices to do that as well. Sort of like "I defend your right to not defend your rights'. It's often shades of grey with fuzzy boundaries.

But overall I see a two steps forward one step back kind of change since that time when my generation was 'burning their bras'.

[Pax]

Absolutely! Alive and well here in the Midwest.

It's been a long time since I marched on the Statehouse in support of the ERA but I still try to fight the good fight.

[Marissa]

Absolutely! Heck, my great-great-grandmother not only kept her maiden name, her husband took it when they were married. (I actually took my husband's name, so it's not a big issue for me, but I love telling the story.) I come from a long line of feminists.

[papaver]

My grandmother ran away to the states when she was 18 (that was in 1919). It was a huge scandal in her town. A woman alone taking the boat to the states was unheard of! She traveled throughout the states for a full year, working here and there (dunno how she did it, but she did) and 12 months later she came back. As an independant, headstrong woman.

My mother is also a very liberal woman, she always earned a lot more money than my father (but he didn't mind). And she gave us three (I have 2 brothers) a very feminist upbringing. The boys learned to cook, to iron, to do the dishes (as well as the very boyish things like carpentry and such) and so did I. I can cook, I can do flooring, electricity,... and we are very very grateful for that.

And oh yes, we all love to cycle. My mom is now in her mid-seventies and every day she rides at least 20 miles.

[shootingstar]

I was born in 1959.

Some women react strangely to the term "feminist". They don't want to describe themselves as such but if you took away their right to vote, to determine their life path, right to education, equal pay..you'll hear something from them.

An all women's cycling group is less unusual these days compared to 15 years ago. But depends on which part of North America. Cyclists are just still odd in certain areas.

I agree with Bleeckergirl's comments that some women do trivialize their own freedoms...which were hard won by the previous generation(s).

I would like to think every woman at some point of their lives, recognizes the aha time/moments of becoming the best of what they are...and helping other people along the way.

Do you bike often?

[tribogota]

And if you include anti racist, anti homophobic, and anti classist then I am a feminist. I am happy about the achievements, but as much as some women have achieved many "rights and privileges" others still cannot afford the luxury of riding a bike! (No need to look further than the class and racial make-up of the sport of cycling and triathlon in the world.)

[Zen]

We still have a long way to go, baby.

[Crankin]

I pretty much agree with what Lisa said. I find that some younger women don't realize what "rights" they have, but mostly the younger people I go to grad school with are pretty out there with feminism. So are the men, actually.
I was at the younger end of the "bra burners," but it had a huge effect on me, although I am no way radical (well, maybe to some). I think the main effect it had was that I decided I would always be able to support myself and always work, even if I had kids. A lot of people gave me cr*p for that one.
This is the first time in my life that I haven't worked. Even though I am in school and we can well afford this, I don't like feeling dependent.
Truthfully, I don't feel bad about being able to have a bike and ride. I worked for whatever I have. But, I do think that we should work on getting bikes to middle school aged girls; riding promotes independence and a healthy life style.

[shootingstar]

But, I do think that we should work on getting bikes to middle school aged girls; riding promotes independence and a healthy life style.

Yea, a LONG way to go here on this one. Lessen the huge focus in teen years on body image, etc.

While it's great to see some women pick up cycling again much later in life, there are alot more teens that could benefit from lots of encouragement or mechanisms to make cycling efforts seen as cool or just simply more socially acceptable among their peers.

[OakLeaf]

What Shootingstar said (born in the same year, too).

I'm not active in the movement at the moment, if that's what you're asking. But those who are have my wholehearted support - yes I do believe that women are human beings.

[Jewell]

I'm heavily involved as a feminist and plan to be getting a major in environmental studies and women studies (only a year left, hooray). There's still a lot of work left to be done, let me tell you!

I'm reminded of this everyday from the way women are portrayed on tv (ever realize on Seinfeld how George always went out with gorgeous women or how only certain body types get leading roles), to the ever present heterosexism in society, to the normalcy of racism in every facet of life.

I find it difficult when it can seem like we've come far by all modern appearances, yet women are still treated as a object of desire, even by the most enlightened of men. Many times men's language of women does little to support the idea that women are equal. Feminism is such an f-word that few women embrace it and even less men can utter the word. Its so nice to see a good proportion of women on there embracing it!

I do think that beauty image is a big hurdle for many women to over come if they want to cycle, not just for teenagers. Of course Copenhageners have greatly overcome this issue. I know many women who would have trouble commuting due to their need to fulfill the mainstream image of beauty. Its really unfortunate that for many the need maintain their appearance is almost OCD in nature...