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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOpen Letter to Phyllis Schlafly From 12 Year-Old Madison Kimrey
?resize=500%2C374Im a teenage girl who has been reading about you quite a bit in the news lately. It seems to me that you have absolutely no idea what women of my generation are all about. I can understand that because I often deal with older people who think that their generation is superior and my generation is the worst thing ever just because were different. Really though, I think since you want to be all up in the public eye, it would really do you a lot of good to understand things from the perspective of one of the young women who will be taking over this country soon.
Ive been thinking about how I can explain what feminism means to my generation in a way you might not have thought of before. I wanted to try to work from something we have in common, and its been kind of hard to find something I have in common with you. Then, it came to me. I bet you wear a bra.
I was reading recently about a company called Yellowberry that was started by a young woman because she took her younger sister bra shopping and her sister didnt like any of the choices. None of the bras fit her, and she felt the selections were too sexual. So she started a line of bras so that girls would have more options. As for myself, I shop at Victorias Secret. Its not because I want to be sexy or have any grand delusions of looking like one of their models. I shop there because they have different styles of bras so I can find something I think is pretty that fits me. I dont know where you shop for your bras, but I bet you have a favorite one. I bet you have that one bra thats comfortable and goes with just about everything. I bet the last thing you were thinking about when you bought that bra was what a man would think about it.
Well, making choices in our lives as young women is kind of like finding that favorite bra. Not all of us are going to fit into the same kind and not all of us are going to find the same style attractive. We all deserve to have as many choices as possible, and as women, we shouldnt be judging the choices made by other women. Choosing a bra is a very personal choice and is none of anyone elses business. We should be, as women, looking for ways we can expand the choices both for ourselves and other women, just as Megan Grassell did when she started Yellowberry. Equality doesnt mean women will all make the same choice. It means women will be treated the same no matter what choices they make.
This brings us to the idea you have that women shouldnt have equal pay because it will make it more difficult for them to find husbands. What youre doing is attempting to limit my choices, and I dont appreciate that. Lets get one thing straight here. When Im thinking about what kind of career I want to have, its a lot like shopping for a bra. I want to find something that fits me and appeals to me, and Im not thinking about pleasing a man. Anyone who wants to be my partner in life is going to have to truly respect me, appreciate me for who I am, and honor the choices I make.
What youre doing, Ms. Schlafly, is contributing to something very disturbing I see happening with some of the teenage girls I know. At a time in their lives when they should be free, independent, and exploring and preparing for the possibilities they have in the future, many of them are worried about getting or keeping a boyfriend. There are young women my age who are extremely smart but they hide it because they get messages from women like you that if they are too smart or successful, boys wont like them. They get messages from women like you that pleasing a man should be their number one goal. Youre contributing to making young women uncomfortable when they go bra shopping because theyve learned to analyze every choice based on what other people will think instead of having the freedom and confidence to choose whats best for them.
Im going to continue the work my mother and my grandmothers started, the work you have fought so hard against. Im going to work to help get the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) ratified in my lifetime. Once this is done, its going to take some time to undo a lot of the damage women like you have caused. Its going to take time for society to evolve once women finally have the equality we deserve. But I believe that my daughters will look at history and see women like you the same way I see women who tried to prevent us from getting the right to vote. I believe that bra shopping is going to be a lot easier for my daughters than it is for girls today.
Sincerely,
Madison Kimrey
Madison Kimrey is student, actress, aspiring writer and activist who fights for LGBT rights, humane treatment of animals, womens rights and promotes youth activism and participation in democracy.
http://samuel-warde.com/2014/04/open-letter-phyllis-schlafly-12-year-old-madison-kimrey-guest-post/
You brilliant young woman.
The Schafly will not understand because she is venal, shallow and has no soul. You are beautiful inside and out, Madison. I adore your generation. I have two sons in it but it is the women-their girlfriends, female friends, my nieces and my friend's daughters-they are the people who will give me hope.
I adore this generation of women. So bright. So kick ass. So totally cool.
women of the future
bring it on!
peace to you mcar,
kp
justhanginon
(3,290 posts)can be so well spoken and erudite at twelve years of age. I wish you well and I hope you can continue to speak so well for your issues as you proceed through life. You are a great representative for your generation.
WillyT
(72,631 posts)Skidmore
(37,364 posts)Mr.Bill
(24,278 posts)the young woman who wrote this letter would be learning how to iron clothes.
I'm 60 years old, and admittedly a little disconnected from our newest generation, but I hope I'm never as disconnected as Ms. Schlafly.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)are completely ignoring.
No doubt, this world is in massive cultural conflict....
BECAUSE the stakes are high, now....given this current time period.
sheshe2
(83,730 posts)You are a wise woman so beyond your years. I am glad that you are our future.
Stay strong in your convictions and never let anyone ever say that you are wrong.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)I'm floored, seriously.
May every opportunity come to her. At exactly the right time.
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)RiffRandell
(5,909 posts)MrMickeysMom
(20,453 posts)
to where we MUST elevate ourselves
K&R
TxDemChem
(1,918 posts)I am so proud of her for taking a stand. She's a future leader.
scarletlib
(3,411 posts)Katashi_itto
(10,175 posts)Tsiyu
(18,186 posts)That child should give us all hope.
What a terrific writer and thinker she is!
TBF
(32,046 posts)noiretextatique
(27,275 posts)NO
LadyHawkAZ
(6,199 posts)Should I live long enough, I look forward to voting for her some day.