I would be lying to myself if I said I completely agree with the way the Women's Initiative advances feminism. In fact, I do not agree with a lot of things that are associated with the whole women's equality movement.
It is highly unfortunate, but I have been forced to find my own medium to advance the cause. This is why Republican Women at AU was created - for people like me who just do not fit in with the Women's Initiative crowd. For example, I am offended by the "Vagina Monologues." I find it highly degrading. (Yes, I have seen them, in case you were wondering.) Why must we, as women, focus on a reproductive part in order to gain power? Why don't we have the "Wrinkly Brain Monologues" and focus on the achievements all kinds of women have gained throughout the years?
Come to think of it, Susan B. Anthony might have the same complaint that I do about one issue in particular - abortion. I know that Women's Initiative does not take a stance either way on this issue, but the pro-life stance is very important to me. The same applies to many of our "founding feminists." Alice Paul, author of the Equal Rights Amendment, once said, "Abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women." When I was President of AU Students for Life, we hosted a group called Feminists for Life, one that I could conjecture would not be warmly welcomed by the ready-made feminist groups on our campus.
I would be thrilled to work with Women's Initiative or other feminist groups on this campus in order to empower women and fight the things that hurt us most, as long as it does not mean that we conservative women have to sacrifice our deeply held convictions.
Anna Loerch President, Republican Women at AU Junior, Kogod School of Business
