Women, Inc.

There was a glorious Women’s March on the day after Donald Trump’s inauguration. It was glorious because it happened, an exercise of the right to assemble, to present grievances, to challenge the government. It was glorious because so many women, men too, turned out.

Whether they knew the mission of the March isn’t really that important. Even if it was merely to show support for their gender, it’s a perfectly sufficient reason. And if you didn’t agree, so what? They don’t need your approval to march or to express their views, whatever they may be. Nobody forced you to go, though some children might have been corralled into being props.

There was silliness, as one might expect, such as writing “messages” to no one on tampons. And someone complained about women being forced to purchase tampons when men get razors for free.

Sorry, guys, but our secret is out.

In 1972, during what is now known as the second wave of feminism, a constitutional amendment was passed by the House and Senate. It was called the Equal Rights Amendment, and it stated:

Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

By “sex,” the ERA meant the binary, male and female. The word had not yet morphed into 31 flavors. And even with this limited definition, the states failed to ratify it. Not because of privileged males, but because housewives and mothers were riled up based upon fear that their choices would be ridiculed, diminished, disallowed.

That was 44 years ago that the ERA passed Congress. Forty-four years later, women are marching, leaving messages on tampons, in a show of solidarity. As of 2010, women comprise 50.08% of the United States population. For the math challenged, that’s a preponderance. Yet, there are no businesses started by women in the Fortune 500, no law firms started by women in the AmLaw 100. There are women CEOs (24 as of 2015) and Managing Partners (7 as of 2014), but their ascension to leadership is in enterprises begun by males.

Why?

This isn’t snark. I supported the ERA in the 70s and still do today. Whatever issues I may have with the emanations and penumbras has no bearing on the core point, that women are and should be equal to men in the eyes of the law.

But in the past 44 years, you haven’t done much about it. Of the top six corporations in market cap today, five were founded since 1972. All by men. Why not women? Why not you?

By marching, you are seeking something, to be heard, to be appreciated, to get your way. Whom are you asking? Why are you asking for anyone’s permission or approval. Take it. Seize it.

Instead, you wrote messages on tampons, which inures only to the benefit of the tampon maker. That would be a man.

23 thoughts on “Women, Inc.

      1. REvers

        It was in the seventies, too. And I said it every time, before I signed a petition in support. It was fun to watch them decide whether or not to let me sign. They always did, though.

        1. AP

          The presidential candidate of one major party listened to (pretended to listen to?) the unhappiness but did not suggest any fixes. The other candidate didn’t appear to be listening but proposed some fixes. And the rest is history (not hers).

  1. Matthew S Wideman

    When I was in my early teens, I would say, “Wow those protesters are doing something special”!! My Father would say, “All those people should just get jobs and get involved in their local politics and communities ….Lots of bitching…No action”.

    As I watched the March on TV, while I was working. My mind started to creep towards my Father’s words. But, that just maybe the privilege talking.

    1. SHG Post author

      It might not be so simple as “just get jobs,” and getting involved doesn’t guarantee an outcome, but they certainly offer a greater likelihood of success than grand but futile gestures.

      1. SHG Post author

        You might be taking his father’s advice a little too literally. Plus, people work on Saturdays too. And you don’t know what “the women” will be doing on Monday. Some may have a mani pedi appointment.

      1. SHG Post author

        Speculating, if they put in the effort to turn up for a march, they put in the effort to vote. Then again, Colin Kaepernick didn’t, so logic may not be much of a guide.

  2. John Barleycorn

    No photo of you sporting a pussy hat? What’s up with that.

    P.S. I know you are a little sheltered when it comes to feminine hygiene esteemed one and that you dislike editing suggestions but that writing that was taking place that you mention and link was taking place on sanitary napkins, aka menstrual pads, aka pads. Definitely not tampons. You should fix that. It reflects poorly on your worldly ways and not just because some pads have wings either.

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