Revitalizing UU Women's Groups

Appendix F: Ten Good Reasons for Feminist Social Action

To ensure that women in the United States continue to have reproductive rights: Because in order to be free, women must have control over their own bodies. Because women’s access to safe, legal abortion is not guaranteed by the constitution. Because the Roe versus Wade Supreme Court decision of 1973 has already been eroded and is in danger of being further eroded or overturned.
To continue to narrow the wage gap: Because, while women’s wages have improved since 1969 when women earned 57 cents for every dollar men earned, women still earn only 74 cents for every dollar that men earn in this country. And, because women have been blocked by a glass ceiling that keeps women from advancing to the highest positions in this country.
To preserve social security: Because women constitute about 60% of current recipients and have more to lose in a shift to private savings accounts. Because the progressive benefit formula provides proportionately higher benefits for low earners who tend to be women than for high earners who tend to be mostly men. Because women are most likely to use spouses’ and widows’ benefits and to need the guarantee of inflation-indexed benefits, both of which are slated to be eliminated.
To promote a Constitutional Equality Amendment (CEA): Because the U. S. constitution does not guarantee women the same rights as men and because the history of Supreme Court rulings on women’s rights illustrates why a constitutional guarantee of women’s equality is needed. Because gender inequities are manifested in lower incomes and higher costs for women and women’s unpaid work in the home is not fairly considered in divorce settlements and pension benefits.
To work to alleviate violence against women: Because this problem continues to be a serious health threat for women. Because domestic abuse has become so prevalent that our police forces now spend one-third of their time responding to domestic abuse calls. Because approximately 1,500 women are killed annually by their husbands or boyfriends and because about two million men beat their partners each year (U.S. Justice Department Study, 1998). Because one in every three women in the world is raped during her lifetime. Because violence against women is a major criminal justice and public health concern. Because fear of violence and harassment limit a woman’s physical and psychological range of motion and freedom.
To work toward equality in sports: Because federal law, Title IX, prohibits gender discrimination in education. Because sports in the U. S. are a significant outlet and because the absence of women in sports represents an injustice of the division of economic resources; because the attention paid to young athletes influences their physical and mental health, and their future health.
To work for racial and economic diversity in this country: Because human rights are indivisible. Because discrimination undermines human dignity and makes justice and true freedom impossible.
To promote lesbian and gay rights in this country: Because gays and lesbians deserve the opportunity to live their lives with dignity and security. Because employment discrimination occurs frequently, on the basis of sexual orientation (84% according to a survey conducted by Newsweek, January, 1997). And, because withholding basic rights from gays and lesbians contributes to discrimination and hate crimes and to negative attitudes which gays and lesbian turn inward putting them at a higher risk for depression and suicide.
To alleviate poverty because this is a significant problem in this country despite our relative wealth: Because women and children make up a high percentage of those living in poverty in the U.S. and because divorce often plunges women and children into instant poverty.
To promote global feminism: Because so long as women and other underrepresented groups around the world are subjugated and abused, no woman can be free. Because in certain countries, basic rights are withheld from women while they are subordinated to men and treated as property. Because women’s bodies are objectified and they are frequently used and abused sexually and/or mutilated.