Better focus or more chatter?

Have you ever noticed that sometimes news or information comes in waves? Recently I feel like I've heard a lot more news about the women's movement, but I'm not sure if it's because I'm better focused on the issue or if there's more chatter.

I recently had 2 moments that made this little feminist think and smile- a shout out on Glee and an amazing Diane Rehm panel discussing the 50th anniversary of the Feminine Mystique.

On the Valentines Day episode of Glee (which hate if you will but I love), Quinn, Yale student extraordinaire, showed up to her former teachers wedding all kinds of enlightened.

I have loved watching Quinn's character evolve from a religious do-gooder, to a reluctant birth mom, to an empowered college student. I think more than any other, her character demonstrates the idea of defining yourself and developing your own values rather than allowing society or a partner supply the definitions.

Then today, Diane Rehm, hosted a panel discussion on the 50th anniversary of the Feminine Mystique. The 1963 book by Betty Friedan is widely heralded as groundbreaking for the women's movement. The panel did a really great job of including those listeners who haven't read the book yet by discussing today's women's movement and the progress made since the 1963 publishing of the book. It was particularly poignant to hear an attorney's perspective of women in the law.

I know that intelligent, gracious, and worthy women throughout history have been denied the right to practice law simply because of their gender and I am so thankful for those groundbreakers who sacrificed their pride and families to make it possible for me to have chosen this profession. In case you missed the link above, you can hear the panel discussion here.

I think I've come to the conclusion that my experience is a mix of better focus and more chatter in the general public. I'm thankful that both of these media outlets devoted time acknowledging history and progressive ideas. Wanna learn more about the women's movement? Check out The National Organization for Women.

Enjoy the episode and discussion!
-DBC