I have to confess that I've never actually read it. Not that you could ever accuse me of gaining fulfilment from housework! But I've greatly enjoyed binge-watching Mrs America, with Tracey Ullman as the irascible Friedan and Cate Blanchett quite brilliant as Phyllis Schlafly, right-wing warrior housewife, mother of six and scourge of the Women's Libbers: think manic Mrs Thatcher, in pearls and cemented hair-do, meets Mrs Mary Whitehouse with a generous dollop of religious fervour thrown into the mix. And to this day equal rights for women are not enshrined in the US Constitution.
Gloria Steinem, now 86 (oh, to look like that if I survive to 86!) wasn't impressed by the series. She has a point that the media love to stoke a catfight between women. But I still think it's a riveting slice of feminist history from an era that I lived through, but was probably too young and silly to appreciate. (Hangs head, but I used to flick through Spare Rib in the newsagent's - and buy Cosmo!)
I used to teach Women's Studies so you know I'm feminist! I have to admit to not reading the Betty Friedan either although it was frequently referenced in my lectures and handouts...
ReplyDeleteAs a very young mother at 19 years old; I had no idea about the women's lib movement of the 60s and 70s (shame on me) but had there a consciousness raising group near to where I lived and I knew what it was about; I would have been there like a shot!
Take care
xxx
Vronni, there was a local women's group - all older than me but they were nice and sometimes let me hang out with a cup of coffee. But my dad wouldn't let me join! He would have been a Schlafley-supporter for sure!
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