Good job, celebrities.

There have been a lot of celebrity public service announcements lately. They've ranged from support for democracy and voting, gay rights, and now, ending violence against women.

I personally find it encouraging when celebrities use their place in society to do something worthwhile. To use their fame to promote an important cause or message that they believe in. Something that many of us would love to do, but that has a much bigger reach when they do it. Bravo.

Keeping with the conversation on Feminism...

This makes me so ridiculously happy, even though it is in a country that is not my own.

The F-word

There's been an ongoing discussion over the past couple days, spawned by the lovely Sarah about the big F-word. Feminism.

International Women's Day seems to have gotten more than a few of us thinking about feminism: where it's going, where it's been, and if we agree. I've already blabbered on enough both in Sarah's comments and on the 20-Something Bloggers' discussion board.

To sum things up: yeah, I'm a feminist. I think that all women are, deep down. Feminism, to me, is not about refusing to shave your legs, or burning your bras -- I would fail miserably if that were the case. It's about wanting the best for all women (and even men). It's about standing up and supporting other women around you. It's about the desire not necessarily to be treated exactly the same as men, but to be given the same consideration, respect and opportunity. It's about being able to make your own choices and be confident in those decisions. It's about being able to walk down the street with your head held high because yes, you can do anything you set your mind to.

All this talk about the F-word has taken me back to my undergrad days. I minored in philosophy, because I'm somewhat of a nerd and I found that a lot of my electives quickly became philosophy courses. Those philosophy courses included women's studies and feminist philosophy and both enraged and thrilled me (which is probably why I kept enrolling in them).

One of the best things I took from my first year women's studies course was this poem:

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou

The one in which I am an angry bitch

Dear Spike TV/Nick Coles;

Seriously? You allowed this knob of a writer to completely bash incredible women on your site, while slowly backing away with the "this article does not represent Spike TV or its affiliates" mumbo-jumbo. The fact that you knew enough to include that little gem, shows how much you knew the article was wrong, degrating, and inappropriate.

Sara Ramirez, Drew Barrymore, Salma Hayak, America Ferrera, Mandy Moore, Liv Tyler, and Tyra Banks are not "the Top 7 Butterbodies" Nick Coles asserts them to be. He says these women have an obligation to be stick thin, no matter how unhealthy that actually can be, and that by parading any of them as "curvy" we're giving women an "excuse to be fat". Fuck you. Excuse my language, but I would like to smack Mr. Coles upside the head.

These women are under enough pressure from the media and society as a whole, being the celebrities that they are, they don't need to hear it from you. I wouldn't even consider any of them "fat", but I guess that's just me. These women may have the means for personal trainers, but it doesn't mean they have the time. Filming TV shows, movies, making appearances, going on press tours, it's not easy work. It means long days. You know how some days you are exhausted and want to head home and spend some time either relaxing or with your family? Yeah, they probably do the same.

The fact that you even equate celebrity with the need to be stick thin disgusts me. When celebrities do give in to the Hollywood need-to-be-thin thing, the media turns on them and suggests eating disorders, calls them skeletons and demeans them yet again. It's jerks like Mr. Coles who spawn these issues with body image and eating disorders -- Nicole Richie, Kate Bosworth and Calista Flockhart are all good examples. Not to mention the fact that holding celebrities to these impossible standards has an effect on young girls' body image as well.

But do women lash out about the men in Hollywood and the male celebrities who clearly let their bodies go? How much backlash did Joaquin Phoenix, Jack Nicholson, Jack Boy George, or even Jared Leto receive when they were not "celebrity thin". If you truly believe that "celebrities are not like normal people" and "its their job to look fit and hot", what excuse do you give for the men? Why don't you feature them in your article? Have you seen Phoenix lately?

Quite frankly, I feel sorry for any women in your life who suffer the ridiculous standards you hold them to.

Love, Me
xoxo

Quote of the day: heroes and she-roes

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!" Maya Angelou

I've already discussed one of my "she-roes" in detail on this blog. That would be the Mamma. There are no famous people that I aspire to be like, or that I idolize. I admire Margaret Thatcher's tenacity, and the sauciness of women like Katharine Hepburn and Mae West. But that's about as far as it goes.

The women that I count as she-roes are merely women that I have come across in my daily life who are pretty damn amazing. They don't have assistants, they won't ever be seen on the front of the tabloids, and they are usually underappreciated and overworked.

They've been women who have restarted their lives from the ground after fleeing from an abusive relationship. They've been women who seem to have found the perfect work/life balance; being extraordinary PR gurus while being involved in the lives of their babies, too. They've been women who were single mothers while getting their own business off the ground, battling everything themselves and succeeding. They've been women who have done all of these things on their own, only to find love later and stay independent ass-kicking rockstars. They've been women who have always had a kind word for me, or have made themselves available when I've needed advice. They've been women who have encouraged me to follow my dreams, even if it meant leaving my comfort zone.

Since it's apparently national de-lurking day at some point this week (I've seen blogs say yesterday and others say today), come out of the woodwork and leave a comment about one of your own heroes or she-roes.

Also, while you're at it, check out http://www.intervivos.ca/, I write over there too. interVivos is Edmonton-based but it doesn't mean that you can't comment from anywhere in the world. Today's blog is about Canadians (but also applies to Americans, or anyone else) losing faith in politics.

Where oh where is the Christmas spirit? ...off with the snow?

It's hard to get into the Christmas spirit with the serious lack of snow we're experiencing. It was a balmy 2 degrees Celcius this morning, with a forecast of rain for later in the day. Rain! Not cool.

It's starting to hit me, the enormity of not going home for Christmas. I'll be spending the holiday this year with Boy and his family in southern Saskatchewan. It's not that I don't want to be with my own family, but at this time of year one must sign over their first-born in order to get a plane ticket across the country. This will always be known as the year I wasn't there, even if I manage to make it home every year to come. I'll be absent in the annual famly photo. I'll miss the "Christmas Tradition" (aka. sleepover) with Kaye and Kiki, something we've been doing since we were wee. I won't be there for breakfast, making fun of Brother and his wife for being late. I won't get to see the looks on my family's faces when they open the presents I've chosen for them. I know that everything will be okay, and Boy's family always makes me feel incredibly welcome, but it makes me a little bit homesick to think of all that I'll be missing. To think that this is one more memory the other five people in my family have without me in it. Ah the joys of being the only one living a province (or three) away.

In other news, who knew being oh-so bad could do so much good? Strippers from an establishment here in the city have raised over $4800 for Santa's Anonymous, a program that delivers Christmas presents to needy children in Edmonton. More than 30 exotic dancers donated their day's pay and tips to the cause on the weekend. They sure have the Christmas spirit.

My sister Kiki brought me a Skip-It when the girls came to visit this summer, as a belated birthday present. It's still in the packaging as it was more to serve as a reminder of my favourite toy ever. I loved my old pink Skip-It. I would spin it around, hopping over it, an eye on the counter to beat my personal best. I thought I was amazing at this game. My mother told me much later that she feared for my uncoordinated life every time I pulled it out. Thanks mom! Point is, I cleared it with Kiki to donate my new Skip-It to Santa's Anonymous this year. Hopefully some little girl, more coordinated than I, will love it as much as I did.

How are you going to get into the Christmas spirit?

My inspiration

"If you want something said, ask a man... if you want something done, ask a woman." Margaret Thatcher

Over 14 years ago, my mom took the leap from farm wife to municipal politician. She sat on a council that consisted solely of men. I remember discussions about municipal issues around the dinner table, discussions that would spur my own interest in the political system.

When I went to university, preparing for a future law degree, I chose to take politics instead of pursuing the English degree she thought I should pursue. She didn’t understand my reasons. She didn’t understand what I could do with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She didn’t understand that I was so intrigued by the discussions we had, that I was so inspired by her and the work she did in an old male-dominated field in our small community. I saw the difference that she made, the passion she held for our community and I wanted to be able to do the same.

I remember that no matter what was going on at home, no matter what time of the day or night, when residents called our house complaining about their gravel roads not being graded, or the state of the community, she would listen and put on her happy voice.

As our small municipal council grew with the amalgamation of three townships, council members from all joining parties were at risk. She remained on as the sole woman. Residents of our community saw her integrity, her dedication and her passion for the community and chose her for the new, smaller council. She was always my role model, no matter how we were getting along at the time. She has moved from councilor to deputy mayor, and now she’s looking for a new challenge as the potential warden for the county.

From an article in our town’s newspaper: “Having experienced county council for a number of years now, I think it is time to step forward and create a bigger challenge,” she explained. The current economic downturn will no doubt top the agenda heading into next year and the deputy mayor seems ready to tackle anything. “It’s important to be up on all of the issues and I look forward to all of the challenges in 2009,” she said.

A lot of the qualities I have accumulated, I owe to her. Her strength, her intelligence and her dedication to make our community, if not the world, a better place. I couldn’t be more proud.

"One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.” Maya Angelou

Tell me more, tell me more (like does he have a car?)

One of the best parts about being not only an older sister, but an older sister in a couple, is hearing the adventures of the baby's dating life. Though dating is not always a fun endeavor, it's fun to be told swoon-worthy stories of cute boys and adventures with them.

After waking up yesterday to a text message telling me to check my Facebook mailbox for details, I've been looking forward to the "what's next" of Kaye's dating life. Ahhh, the excitement. So far, nerdy engineering boy + Guitar Hero = much potential. I should know, that's how my relationship started out (though it was Rock Band).

All I have to offer Kaye in return for her stories, is this article. These women are doing amazing, very important work. Even more important is that they're doing it without judging. Their concern is for the health of these women during their pregnancies and the health of their babies.

Using $95,000 from the Public Health Agency of Canada, a part-time nurse and two street-smart outreach workers find homeless, pregnant women. They help them get medical care and test them for syphilis to prevent the sexually transmitted disease from making their babies sick.

It's a very interesting, very insightful article. I fully recommend it.

Quote of the Day

 "Well-behaved women seldom make history."

Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

It's not because of abortion. It's because of safety.

This is a pretty contentious issue.

The Globe and Mail has an article about how pro-choice groups are saying it's a "blasphemy" that Dr. Henry Morgentaler hasn't been inducted into the Order of Canada.

I was so proud of Western, my alma mater, when they gave Dr. Morgentaler an honorary degree the year I graduated. There was so much controversy. So many protests. Disgust.

In my mind, it's not entirely about abortion. It's about the personal struggles that this man went through for what he believed in.

Henry Morgentaler is a holocaust survivor. He lost family members in Auschwitz and he survived. After being given a United Nations scholarship that was offered to Jewish survivors, he had to live with a German family that was forced to house him in order to attend medical school.

In 1950, he moved to Canada and worked as a general practitioner for nearly 20 years before his convictions about abortion caused serious conflict with others. He gave up his practice in order to openly perform illegal abortions in 1969. While I don't condone illegal activity, it's a pretty big deal to give up your livelihood for something you believe in so strongly. Fighting the courts, lobbying on behalf of Canadian women to prevent unnecessary deaths from botched abortions of scared women.

He has received numerous death threats, his clinics have been bombed, and yet he still kept ensuring that women who had already chosen to abort, were given a safe option. I think the big thing to remember is that women who want abortions will get them. No matter whether it's a safe or legal option. And a medical environment in a clinic is a far better alternative to back alleys and basements.

I think that Dr. Morgentaler, though not everyone agrees with his own personal beliefs, deserves to be honored as someone who overcame great adversity and struggled in order to make the country a safer place for women. We are taught at a young age to stand up for our beliefs and to fight for what we believe is right. It seems silly that we're told that it's "wrong" when others don't believe in the same things as someone who spent their life going against the status quo.

In my opinion, the Order of Canada holds many members who do not mean nearly as much to Canada, and what Canadians believe in (not so much whether abortion is right or wrong, but freedom, standing up for your beliefs, being given the opportunity to make your own decisions), as Dr. Henry Morgentaler.

Vote in the Globe and Mail poll.

My (not-so) new woman crush

The purpose of a woman's life is just the same as the purpose of man's life—that she may make the best possible contribution to the generation in which she is living. —Louise McKinney

I adore Anne McLellan. I think she's simply fabulous. This afternoon I had the opportunity to hear her speak at the Hotel MacDonald and I am simply in awe. She talked about women in politics and how we need more female leadership and so forth. She is such an engaging and passionate speaker. I could have listened to her all day.

It is true, we do need more women in politics. But it's a steep mountain to climb.

McLellan talked about how she's traveled across the country with the Liberals, talking to women, especially young women, trying to convince them to get into the political realm and it's just so hard. Politics is seen as such a sport/game/blood battle that it's not something a lot of people want to sign up for. Especially as a women, it's a constant fight. Look at Belinda Stronach, Hillary Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, Iris Evans, Rona Ambrose... I don't think any of us would really care to trade places and fight the fights that these women did/do on a daily basis. They tend to either be seen as manly/butch (Thatcher) or as a sex-object/ultra-feminine (Belinda/Rona). And they work so much harder to even be there in the first place. I was at an event with all of the cabinet ministers where they all outright acknowledged that Iris works harder than any of them -- at the legislature ridiculously early in the morning until ridiculously late. It's not a fun or easy job. Not than anyone claimed it ever was.

A buddy said to me after, that the thing with women getting into politics is that there really is no proof that they add the "female position" on issues in the end (she did her masters on this apparently). Because women have to act so much like men in order to be taken seriously, something gets lost between womanhood/motherhood/women's issues and the political sphere. Which is an interesting point. Also, it's freakin' hard to be a mother and be in politics. I can't imagine. Especially provincial/federal politics where you are away from home for long periods of time.

I've said time and time again how much I respect and admire my own mother for her political aspirations and the work that she's done in my community. I was blessed to have such a positive female influence in my life. She's brilliant, she's tough and she taught us to think for ourselves (even if she didn't agree with what we were saying necessarily). We had a lot of discussions about politics and religion and current issues/events.

I think that because of the sense of community you have when you are at the municipal level, it'd be a lot easier to be a woman/mother in politics in that sphere. As you get into the higher levels, you become distanced from that community. Especially if your home base isn't in the city where you spend much of your time.

The hard thing now is that people claim they want younger people in politics, or more women in politics... but it's hard to get people to take you seriously. Whether it's because you're a woman, or because you're young. There's a certain amount of credibility that you need to establish first. Where does one start?

Happiness, Vaginas and Strong, Inspirational Women

This is absolutely incredible. Eve Ensler is hilariously funny and incredibly brilliant. Her talk about her journey, V-day and the Vagina Monologues is definitely worth a listen.

The women whose stories she tells near the end of the talk are absolutely astounding. I have been blessed to never be in a situation even remotely close to anything any of these women have encountered, and I can't say that if I was I would have this much strength to affect change.

In university, a friend and I were part of a group which went around to highschools and discussed violence against women and healthy relationships. It was all part of something that one brave woman put together after her daughter was killed by an ex-boyfriend that she had been in an abusive relationship with. This woman traveled to schools everywhere in order to show other young girls what abuse looks like and discuss how to get out of that situation. Incredible.

Even if you're not into the Vagina Monologues, watch this clip.

"When we give in the world what we want the most, we heal the broken part inside each of us."

Pussycat Dolls: Good role models? Right.

One of the most terrible things that could happen at the gym happened to me the other day -- the batteries died on my music player. Due to this, I channel-surfed through the whole four channels on gym-TV. One of these channels was Much Music, airing at this time was the Pussycat Dolls show. The only snippet I caught was the Dolls claiming that they are "feminists" and "positive role models" for young girls. Right.

Apparently grinding on poles on buses like strippers and throwing your leg above your head between gyrating obscenely is role model behavior. Sure, sex sells. These girls are making a whack of money not because their talented, but because they dress in skimpy outfits and gyrate around.

Here is the article from NYtimes.com. The following snippets are clues that you're not a good role model.

1. When you serve as the role model to Lil' Kim. “Everything the Pussycat Dolls are is everything that I’ve developed myself into being,” said the rap star Lil’ Kim, who is a judge on the show and who served a prison sentence for lying to a federal grand jury about a shooting outside a radio station.

When you want to pick someone who convinces others that your gang of women are good role models... you may be better off not to choose Lil' Kim. I don't know of any woman who would consider Kim a positive role model.

2. When teenage girls believe that you represent a step backwards for women. When one reporter said his 17-year-old daughter looked at the group and their antics as a giant step backward for women, the Pussycat Dolls’ founder, Robin Antin, became defensive, invoking female role models who follow the Dolls. “There’s a reason why people like Scarlett Johansson, Gwen Stefani, Cameron Diaz have all been so interested in what Pussycat Dolls is all about,” she said. “They feel that it is empowering to get up there and dress up like a Doll. It’s fun, and it’s something that every girl in the world — she may think one thing, but I think inside every girl in the world wants to do it.”

In my humble opinion, I don't think anyone is verified to make broad statements about "what every girl in the world wants to do". That would be like me claiming I know what all everyone wants. Complete ridiculousness. And, actresses are generally not your best bets as role models either. While it may be fun to dress hoochie and dance around, that by no means makes it the action of positive role models.

The sole thing I did to celebrate International Women's Day last week was to talk briefly to my mother. Though we haven't always had the cheeriest of relationships, she has been the greatest role model I could have ever asked for. This is why:

• She always told me that I could be whatever I wanted to be, but encouraged me not to sell myself short. Though she didn't necessarily agree with what I went for school for, challenging me to ensure it was the right choice for what I wanted, she let me do my thing and supported me throughout my university career.
• Though we debated almost endlessly, she encouraged me to stand up for what I believe in. This was stressed when we left the church near our house, where my mom was Sunday school superintendent, and went to another one due to differing beliefs between Mom and the Pastor. She believed in God, he believed he was a god.
• Also, through discussions on religion, philosophy, the world... she taught me to base my beliefs on solid foundations and research. Don't take for truth that which you are merely told.
• She got involved in municipal politics when I was young. It was empowering to see a bright woman making change in society. I firmly believe it was the dinner table discussions on municipal politics which spawned my love of politics today.
• As the sole woman for over a decade on municipal councils, she also taught me that women were just as good as men in this arena. She is confident, well-informed and hard working. Yet as busy as she is with meetings, she made time for us as well.
• And, farm women work their asses off. My mom didn't merely cook and clean. When we had dairy cows, she was in the barn every morning and every night for chores, she was throwing hay/straw bales in the mows, she was helping in the fields. And then she did all of the housework on top of that. And she kept track of all the finances. She was a regular superwoman.

For me, my mom embodies a lot of what feminism is about. It's about knowing what you believing in and standing up for those beliefs. It's about being informed and confident. It's not about having to choose between a career or a family, but about partnership which enables you to have both. It's about being able to do what you desire to do. It's about making a positive impact on society be it through your children, through your career, by being involved in your community or through any other way which may seem small to you but is a big deal to others. It's about realizing that society/life is unfair but not letting that hold you back from your dreams. It's about not giving up.

Feminism, for me, is not even a little about the Pussycat Dolls.

Happy heart-shaped Hallmark holiday to all!

My winter blahs are frozen solid. -34 is absolute madness! My poor little face burns from the cold and makes me want to scream… and I would (scream that is) if I felt it would add any warmth. Instead I wear enough layers to keep my knees from bruising as they knock together from the shakes.

On the bright side (no pun intended), it is now light out when I get to work in the morning and when I leave! I get sunshine! This hasn’t happened in so long… oh how I’ve missed it.

I just wanted to take the opportunity to pimp out this website to all of you who desire equal representation (or at least closer to equal than we have now) in government:

Equal Voice

Chapters in several provinces and a youth chapter for those under 35. Fabulous.

Keep your drink, just give me the money

Ah, I haven't always been a huge Pink-pusher, but I think this song is brilliant.

I like that her songs tend to be more focused on empowerment. Good for her. This video particularly appeals to me because when my friends and I go out we go out to dance and have fun with the girls. Not to have some boy grind up against us whispering the same tired lines in our ear, in attempts to have us swooning and running off into the night with him.

Though, I must admit, some of her songs seem as though they are hurting feminism just as much as she's helping it. I mean, the "Stupid Girls" song basically makes fun of bimbo-big-breasted-blondes... and while yes, girls should know they don't have to be like that... it's pretty demeaning too. In one scene there's this big-breasted girl on a treadmill running and so she's getting a lot more attention than Pink is. This is not necessarily her fault and I say this as someone who does have a brain and who knows plenty other brainy women who just happen to have breasts. We can have the best sportsbra money can buy and we're still going to get attention merely for these strategically placed slabs of fat bouncing on our chests. It is possible to be smart and sexy. The point is just that you don't have to pretend to act a certain way, or manipulate your body in a certain way, to get some male attention. Maybe attacking each other is not the best strategy for equality, hrm?

Stelmach cares about women, see?

Iris Evans is now responsible for women's issues in this province.

She has battled her way through the male-dominated political realm and has been praised for doing so by both genders. Her mandate? To help Alberta women achieve their goal of full participation in the social, cultural and economic life of the province. Objectives include the betterment of women's lives by addressing gender discrimination, family violence and bullying. She has also been encouraging mroe women to enter the field of politics, stating that it is a "noble profession".

Apparently there was a conference this week called "Be on the Ballot: Women Impacting Local Government" which consisted of sessions that covered the spectrum of considerations for women interested in running for office. Guest speakers hailed from every level of government, including Iris Evans, Anne McLellan, and mayor of Wood Buffalo, Melissa Blake.

Oh how I wish I had known about this sooner, it would have been hugely interesting.

Actually, I really wish that I had found out about that conference earlier, it would have been amazing to attend. Strong women who believe in strong policies? Check. Check. Mentors, yes. Inspirational, uh huh.

Date with the Night

Ah, Date night last night.

It's been a while since I've been out and about and going on dates... which is probably why I agreed to go on this one in the first place. However, it merely convinced me of two things I already knew:

1) Dude was really nice and everything went fine, but I'm just not that into him.
2) I really am not a fan of dating.

I'm surrounded by girls who tend to measure themselves with the amount of interest that accumulates around them and I'm just not one of these. In my girl-power, independent woman way, I'm entirely alright with not having a boyfriend or anything. My last uber-serious relationship ended because I got sucked into it and forgot what I wanted out of life... hell, if I was still in it, I would still be living around London (Ontario, not UK). I'm so much better off out here, knowing what I want, working towards my own happiness.

Lately, I've been trying to explain this to Kik, one of the sisters. At 18, she seems to think that if she doesn't have a boyfriend, she's undesirable. Please! There are so many beautiful, intelligent women out there making themselves crazy over the male population. I'd rather just go with the flow and ride that wave when it hits.