Last week, we lost Coretta Scott King, the first lady of the Civil Rights movement. Sadly, another figure responsible for altering feminist thinking in the 20th century passed away this weekend. Betty Friedan, a pioneer for the modern feminist movement, died Saturday, incidentally, on her 85th birthday.
Friedan was best known for her book “The Feminine Mystique” that said women needed more than a husband and children to find fulfillment in life.
Ed Board encourages students to honor the life of a woman who is responsible for advocating more rights for working mothers, equal pay for women, fighting for abortion rights and founding the National Organization for Women.
Students need to recognize that without Friedan, women would not be where they are today. She was a modern activist who was not afraid to challenge existing opinions to create equal opportunities for women. Eleanor Smeal, a former president of NOW, was on the money when she described Friedan as “a giant for women’s rights and a leading catalyst of the 20th century.”
We here at Ed Board think Friedan was a woman whose life deserves celebration and whose legacy should not be soon forgotten. Not only is she responsible for countless changes for equal rights for women, but she is also an individual who has inspired others to speak out for what they believe in, regardless of popular opinion.
In honor of Friedan and her many accomplishments, Ed Board encourages students to take a risk and see “The Vagina Monologues” next week. It’s only $10 for students and is for a good cause. The nonprofit play benefits The Family Place, a shelter for battered women and children. In fact, at campuses around the nation, “The Vagina Monologues” is donating profits on Valentine’s Day to various shelters for battered women.
Why not make Betty proud and give the controversial play a shot? We think it would be great if students showed up in honor of Friedan’s legacy. Or, if you want to show up simply because you think Valentine’s Day is an evil holiday crafted solely for the benefit of card companies and florists (but that’s another editorial entirely), that’s cool too. You might learn something new, and even if you end up hating it, you can leave knowing that you contributed $10 to a good cause.
