America’s First Ladies
If you are a fan of First Ladies and interested in women’s history, you can follow “America’s First Ladies: An Enduring Vision” today on Twitter (#usfirstladies) or watch the conference live stream starting at 9am CT.
Guest speakers include White House Photographers, Social Secretaries to the First Ladies, Presidential historians, and political correspondent Cokie Roberts. At 1:25pm CT, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin will moderate a panel of two former First Ladies: Mrs. Barbara Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush.
The George W. Bush Library is also releasing an iTunes U collection of speeches, events, and video produced by the White House.
Here, a photo of First Ladies Barbara Bush, Nancy Reagan, Rosalynn Carter, Betty Ford, Pat Nixon, and Lady Bird Johnson together.
WHM March 4, 2012: Sandra Fluke
Sandra Fluke
Right now, her name is everywhere, which is something that this 30-year-old would never have imagined simply because she was set to testify to Congress on birth control.
The attacks on her character launched by Rush Limbaugh, have started a media frenzy. Is this really our David ready to knock down our Goliath which just a small pill stone? If so, it’s about time.
Someone may question highlighting someone who doesn’t have an arm’s length of distinctions or is still in law school. Not true. As much as feminists are surrounding her with support and using her in unity, she is still receiving blacklash, even from “feminists” that refuse to call themselves that, because of “white feminists”. The reasoning behind that being that if Sandra Fluke had been black, no one would have cared about Limbaugh’s comments, at least not in the predominantly white society. While I could write about how I believe they’re wrong, but have a valid point that feminism tends to be a white girl march that caters to white girl problems, but that’s a different blog for a different time.
Whatever you think, about Sandra Fluke, she has become a spark to a powder keg, that doesn’t always turn out so well for everyone involved, and usually the person that gets hit the hardest, is the one who took the chance in the first place.
We need more Sandra Flukes, because she’s not backing down. And we should continue to have her back and stand up next to her. (It can get lonely out there!)
Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre talks with a protestor during a rally opposing the Personhood measures at the state Capitol, Tuesday, Feb. 28th, 2012. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
It takes courage (and a sense of humor) to say it like it is…You go Senator Judy.
WHM March 3, 2012: Judy Eason McIntyre
“When I saw that sign out of all of those signs, I was like, I’ve got to have a picture of it,” said McIntyre, D-Tulsa. “I thought if my 87-year-old mother sees this, I’m going to get hell this weekend, but it was too late.”
I read a comment on a democratic forum site that said, there were 1,000 protestors at this rally, but said commenter was dismayed that Senator McIntyre was “the story”. I think it’s foolish to be so dismissive of a “politician” whose actions caused a story to go from the “City and State” section in the Tulsa World to front page news not only in Oklahoma, but throughout the nation.
Also, as a politician, Senator McIntyre has a lot to lose by holding up this sign and being photographed with it. I didn’t live in Oklahoma, but from the time I was around 7, until 13, I spent every summer there, with my grandparents who lived in Tulsa. Did I mention these were my second set of grandparents that were Republicans, the one grandmother I always upset when I turned 16 and discussed politics at Thanksgiving and Christmas, because I was a *shock* Democrat. (Whereever did they go wrong? It started with my mom, in all honesty.)
Anyhow, too few of our politicians stand up, especially on THIS issue. They’ll fight tooth and nail behind closed doors, but publicly? No. They don’t, because they’re concerned about funding issues, especially in a state like Oklahoma.
I support NARAL on a monthly basis. I hope some of my monies go to this woman’s election campaign, because she embodies what an elected official should be all about. They SHOULD be on the front lines WITH us. It’s their government, too, but they don’t own it.
I wish more politicians knew that. Actually, I wish more constituents would SHOW more politicians that.
But, today, the actions of Senator Judy Eason McIntyre have landed her in hero status, and hopefully she will not soon be forgotten as a champion of Women’s Rights. Who better to be honoured during Women’s History Month?
This is a First Lady Michelle Obama appreciation post, prompted by a racist bigot classmate of mine, who called her ugly, obnoxious, and undignified. I don’t care about discussing politics here on my tumblr, but I do care about posting various pictures of one of the most beautiful, intelligent, and dignified First Ladies the USA has ever had the pleasure of gracing the White House.
Haters to the left.
All da way to the left.
WHM March 2, 2012: Ann Richards
I WAS going to focus on a Tulsa State Senator today, but being reminded that today is Texas Independence Day, I was inspired to present one of my favourite women in all of Texas History, even if I really don’t like to think of her or her tenure as “history” because it wasn’t so very long ago.
Ann Richards. Even the name, to me, is entirely magical. When Governor Richards ran this state, we put education at a higher priority. She revitalized our economy during her tenure, and delivered culturally and historically relevant speeches at the DNC Convention in 1988.
I remember when she died, so very clearly. It was 2006 and there was a Young Democrats meeting that night. We had a moment of silence for her. The very next day my own grandmother passed away.
Every time I say her name, I immediately precede it with, “I miss…”. At least her legacy is alive and well, in a daughter that serves as President of Planned Parenthood. With a woman like Ann Richards for a mother, there is no doubt that the recent controversy of the Komen decision and redecision will not scare her daughter, Cecile.
I miss Ann Richards. And of the women I will more than likely highlight, I think I probably miss her second most.
On March 1, 2012, the U.S. Department of State announced that “TechWomen,” our cutting-edge mentoring program is now accepting applications from American women in the technology sector to serve as professional and cultural mentors. Beginning today, candidates may apply at www.techwomen.org/get-involved/.
(Source: blogs.state.gov)
WHM Day One: Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi: A study in nonviolent successful protesting
Burmese opposition politician and the General Secretary of the National League for Democracy Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 “her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights…Suu Kyi’s struggle is one of the most extraordinary examples of civil courage in Asia in recent decades. She has become an important symbol in the struggle against oppression.” She remained under house arrest in Burma for almost 15 of the 21 years from July 20, 1989 until her release on Nov. 13, 2010.
Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner knows how lucky he is to have discovered Christina Hendricks. “Christina turned what I conceived to be a businesslike and glib gal pal into a substantial, ambitious woman filled with sexual confidence,” he says. There’s no denying that the character of a 1960s secretary could have been something trite, but with Hendricks breathing life into her, she became a force from which even other characters were able to draw strength—in particular, uptight and ambitious female ad exec Peggy Olson, played by Moss. “That’s one of the reasons I got to continue on the show. Matthew Weiner saw that they complement each other so much… they’re sort of the yin and yang,” Hendricks says.
It’s hard to imagine anyone but Hendricks embodying Joan Holloway, but for all the praise her performance attracts—she’s been nominated for two Emmys for Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress—talk invariably turns back to that bodacious, unavoidable figure. It’s not something that Hendricks, who sees herself as an actress, not a sex symbol, is thrilled about. “My husband makes me feel sexy, and I’ve always been really comfortable in my skin, but I’m really just a girl who would prefer talking about my acting rather than my body,” she says. “But,” she adds, “I’m a very comfortable naked person. Not in front of other people, but at home and in front of my husband, I feel good not wearing clothes.”
The President and First Lady are hosting the 2012 Governors’ Dinner in the State Dining Room of the White House this evening. As in recent years, limited press photos have been published. (via Mrs.O)
