Where are the young women?

[Ripley]

I wasn't able to go to DC on Sunday for the march. However reading accounts of the event I see the names of famous speakers: Gloria Steinem, Hillary, Nancy Pelosi, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathleen Turner and Cybil Shepherd. All of those women are more than likely post-menopausal.

Were there any young "celebrity" speakers?

The pro-choice movement seems to be in dire need of 20-30 yr old women with famous faces. Where are the Julia Roberts', Jennifer Anniston's and Queen Latifa's and all the other young celebrities that should be lending their power of fame to this cause? Were they there and the media blacked them out? Or is there a real problem with the over-50-crowd carrying the load for abortion-rights for younger women?

I'm sure there were thousands of young women present at the march, but it's sad the celebrities mentioned in the news accounts are not representative of those who will be affected by the roll back of Roe v Wade. Are the young celebrities so concerned about their bank accounts that even if they are adamantly pro-choice, their greed or ego won't allow them to stand up as role models for real issues? I see a lot of women celebrities doing weak puff piece PSA's like "reading to children," yet no political activism on issues that affect our entire society.

Frankly, I'm torn. On the one hand there is the fight to stop the horrible slow march towards an outright banning of abortion in America, a fight that so many women are either complacent about or take abortion for granted or are so wealthy that they don't give a shit because they can always fly to another country to obtain one...

And on the other hand there is the "dropping out". Let it happen. No more ancient women speaking out. Abortion outlawed. Maybe that's what it will take.

The abortion issue is like all issues, really. If Americans are so lazy, selfish or ignorant by choice...they deserve the horrible crumbling society they get.

[Lars39]

1. Ashley Judd was Very articulate and fired up!!!

I know there were more, but my motrin's kicking in. :)

[Ripley]

9. Good on Ashley!

Her name is not mentioned in the accounts I've seen mainstream.

[Logansquare]

43. I didn't realize she was a women's studies major

That's what they said in the Washington Post.

[Jacobin]

2. Their agents probably told them it would hurt their careers

The fighters for these rights were in the 60's and 70's. Since then................ennui

[Misinformed01]

3. Funny about Julia Roberts

She and I were the same age when she was in "Steel Magnolias." Now, I am older!

Jennifer Anniston is in her mid to late thirties now, too, I think.

What I want to know is this: Where are the twenty somethings?

[doni_georgia]

27. Julia Roberts is 37, Janean was there, as was Cameron Manheim,

Seems like whenever I had a minute to watch, C-span had lost the feed.

[madmax]

4. Not just a march on Washington

"Not just a march on Washington
By Ellen Goodman, Globe Columnist | April 25, 2004

AT TIMES, I've had a fantasy about my generation as the last brigade parading for reproductive rights under a banner of "Post-Menopausal Women for Choice." After all, those of us who remember when birth control was illegal and when 10,000 American women a year died from illegal abortions don't have to imagine a world without choices. We were there. And while we moved on to discussions about hormones and hot flashes, we remained the committed core of prochoice voters.

ADVERTISEMENT

From time to time, we would sigh to each other about how Gen X and Gen Y took it all for granted. Then we would blush a bit because we actually wanted our daughters to take the freedom to make their own moral and medical decisions as a given, not a struggle. But at the same time, we worried. What if they couldn't imagine losing freedoms until those freedoms were gone?

Now it looks as if the Bush administration's policies have done what we couldn't do. They're mobilizing a new generation.

About 1,600 buses are rolling into Washington for today's "March for Women's Lives." The first such gathering in a dozen years is expected to bring more than a half-million women onto the Mall. More to the point, a third of the marchers are expected to be under 30. Indeed, in a wonderful moment of role reversal, Crystal Lander, the leader of the campus outreach and owner of a T-shirt that reads "This is What a Feminist Looks Like," will be bringing her mother to the elder's first march."


More:
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/04/25/not_just_a_march_on_washington/

[JI7]

5. those women are "leaders" not many young women there yet

those women you named are accomplished. their voices mean something to many. especially the younger women that admire them. it's up to us to fight as they did and one day we can rally others to do as they are.

[Ripley]

11. That's bullshit.

There are many "accomplished" women that are younger than Gloria Steinem that need to be headliners now. This is absurd. Who is Gloria's heir?

Most young women don't even know who she is unless they took a Women's Studies course in college.

[JI7]

13. i'm pretty sure there were women younger than gloria steinem there

i'm 25, i don't know any around my age that really stands out as being a leader on this. hillary clinton is very admired though and would help attract more crowds than anyone around my age.

[Ripley]

14. Hillary yes.

But Gloria?

If you were to take a poll of females your age, what percentage do you really think would be able to tell you what she stood for other than "name recognition" like Gloria Steinem equals Feminism.?

[Iceburg]

24. How many under 30 men were leaders during the last big protest?

Million Man March 1996 --800,000 -- Under 30 "Leaders"--> none
Anti-Viet Nam Protest 1969 --600,000 -- Under 30 "leaders"--> one

.... John Kerry

[madmax]

6. We don't need famous faces

We need young concerned women who will work grass roots. Celebs are ok for the moment but, the real work is done by ordinary, courageous young men and women. Bless them all. :loveya:

Yesterdays march expanded my appreciatian and admiration for our Gen X'ers and Y's.

From a post-menopausel woman my sincere gratitude. BRAVA!!!

[JI7]

8. not just celebs, many are long time supporters of the cause

but i agree, they need a mix of those who aren't just "stars". carole king did a lot of grassroots campaigning for john kerry in iowa and other places and was very effective. that kind of celeb is effective in getting others to come out.

[SheilaT]

7. Many young women simply have no

understanding of what's at stake. They've grown up with legal abortion available their entire reproductive lives. They don't know anyone who risked her life to end an unwanted pregnancy. They don't know anyone who died from a botched abortion. They have no idea what the anti-abortion fascists want to return to.

[Alpha Wolf]

10. There was a NY Times story about this...

a few months ago. I think it was the Times, at least. Something about how there is a anti-abortion trend developing among the children of the those in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. It featured one family where the mom was very pro-choice but the daughter was very anti-abortion.

I'd like to find an online version of that story to read it again in light of your question. I remember one of the things these young people (women and men) mentioned was that they were actually born after 1973-- and this somehow gave them a different perspective on teh issue considering that they could have been legally aborted on demand if their mothers so desired. One of the girls wore a button that read "I Survived Roe vs. Wade".

Being born way before 1973 (I'm not saying exactly how long), I remember wondering if that really would give someone a different perpective-- valid or not.

[Ripley]

12. Oh really?

You think that there is a "different perspective" from kids born after 1973? I think that is crap. Kids who think they "survived" RvW have been abused mentally by their parents or whoever put that thought into their heads.

On edit: Alpha wolf on rereading your post, I see you are just asking the question. I suppose there's a story in there somewhere. However, I think by bringing in that "survival" thing you must have a reason. What is it?

[JI7]

15. yup, it's crap

often used by those who oppose choice. as if there was no abortion before roe v wade. the fact is there WAS abortion and will continue to be. making abortion illegal isn't going to stop it. those with money will just go to another country to get an abortion or hire a professional to do it. those without money will try it on their own or hire someone who isn't qualified to do it as they are very desperate. and this will put their life at risk also.

[Alpha Wolf]

25. It was in the NY Times article....

that these kids had a different perspective. I'm not saying that. The kids were saying that. The button was something one of the girls in the story said she wore on her back-packet or jacket or something. Like I said, I'd like to find a copy of that article and re-read it in light of this thread.

[Alpha Wolf]

26. It may have been NY Times Magazine...

Does anyone remember seeing this story?

[Ripley]

28. OK

"A different perspective." I don't see how there is a "different perspective" on a woman's body. It is hers alone. Period.

But in reference to your interest...contact NY times..or Google and you might find that article. Actually there are lots of great researchers here at DU who might find the exact article you're looking for. :hi:

[madmax]

16. Ms. magazine online link

Information on the March etc.

http://www.msmagazine.com/blog/default.asp

[Ripley]

19. You proved my point again...

On the front page of that link is Tyne Daley (over 50) as a "celebrity" protestor.

For crying out loud, why can't you young female celebrities get your asses involved??!!! I don't see your picture there!

And don't give me this shit about how well, the older women have the respect and gravitas. Of course they do! But they should not be the sole barers of this crap. They should not be at age 58 marching in the heat while prissy girly-girl singers and actresses paint their fucking toenails in Paris!

Of course, you young DU women realize I am not talking about you...we all know yall are tops! But where the hell is your generation of celebs? Oh yeah, they're too busy getting their faces all over magazines, commercials, promos of sports, etc. Can't find a day for a protest huh?

THEY SUCK.

[Cursive_Knives512]

17. The Butchies were there, man!

I think they're about 25-30. But yeah, I see your point and agree.

[sandnsea]

18. 50% under age 25

I read that in one of the articles, so that was good news. And Julianne Moore was there. Did I get her name right?

[havocmom]

20. Young woman to old woman on bus to a pro-choice rally in Phoenix

in 88 or 89:
'I'm just so glad that you are here to march with us'

The old woman's response (accompanied by stifled giggles from her husband): "Dear, We've been here for over 50 years. Glad YOU finally joined us."

I think we need to make sure young people get a decent education in real history and not just 'teaching to the test' sort of learning. But I do see evidence that many young women and young men realize freedom and choice is their's to keep or lose. We need to help them help their contemporaries understand what is a stake.

[texastoast]

22. And it's not just freedom of choice

Before Roe, there was "you can't open a checking account without your husband co-signing." "You can't keep your job and be pregnant (might make the men think about how you got that way--we can't have THAT!)."

Some of my nieces tell me that it never happened. That I was the "crazy old aunt" just telling stories. That there never was a time when a woman couldn't get a loan on her own. That women have always been able to get divorces from abusive husbands.

Could Roe just be the first step to returning to "family values" in the worst way? Wake up, young chicas!

[Ripley]

23. Wake up young chicas!

Thank you for saying that!

[retread]

34. These things were true just a short time ago!

*

[juajen]

55. You bet they were

In 1982 I worked for Dresser Industries (now Halliburton). I did not know I was pregnant when I applied for a job there. In a couple of months or three, I realized I was. I had already gotten good reviews from my boss, but when he found out I was pregnant he was furious. He called me into his office and informed me that I would not be welcome in his department after my baby was born. Well, that made me furious and I took it up with the VP in charge of personnel. Dresser had quite a bit of government contracts then, and my boss was almost fired.

When I came back after the baby was born, I was given my choice of staying where I was, or any other job at my level that I wanted. I chose to leave the SOB and took a job with another department head (legal) and was happy until I left there about two years later.

Of course this was early days for the EEOC (?) regulations. This was just 23 years ago and employment equality was in its infancy. We still have a way to go. In just about every respect, women today do not know the battles we fought to get all of us where we are today. For the most part, they are ungrateful witches. Kidding, of course. I raised three of those witches myself. They do take their rights for granted, but, I have no doubt that they are all strong enough to fight their own battles, or take up where we leave off. I raised them that way and I am one proud mama.

[texastoast]

56. You should be proud

You are probably right that they will take off and fight their own battles. One difference I've noticed about people I knew growing up and the up-and-comers is that many of us COULD NOT WAIT to fight our own battles. Some of the kids now just ride the gravy train with parents as long as they can. I suspect a lot of parents work it so it will stay that way.

[veganwitch]

21. ani difranco was there

[JanMichael]

50. Isn't Ani 33? Not that it's old (I'm 36) but I think the point was the...

...under-30 crowd.

Maybe I'm mis-taken:shrug:

[alarcojon]

29. Today's NY Times coverage

mentions a passing of the baton to the younger generation:

In fact, there was a changing-of-the-guard tone to much of Sunday's program. Ms. Steinem, noting that she is now 70, declared proudly that by her estimate, "more than a third of the women in this march are women under 25." Kate Michelman, soon leaving her post as president of Naral Pro-Choice America, one of the sponsors of the march, took the stage with her granddaughter and declared, "It's your generation that must take the lead."

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/26/politics/26RALL.html

[opihimoimoi]

31. The Young women have very little knowledge of what it was like

during those coat hanger days.......

They must learn the Good Society is right around the corner in November. All they gatta do is vote for Kerry. He is our best hope towards a better life not only for us in the present but for our kids of the Future.

[DaveSZ]

35. I saw many young women there

Maybe they were all lesbians, but I doubt it.

[Lorien]

30. I read somewhere that 50% of the marchers were 25

or younger. My Dad's girlfriend was there, and she seemed to think the same thing. :shrug:

[harper]

32. Just got home from the march after 20 hrs on the bus

And believe me, there were many many women there under 25 yrs of age. It was the most exciting thing about the march to me. They were sooo energized and excited that it gave a real lift to those of us who have been fighting this battle for years and years.

[Iceburg]

39. Bless You ... You are now the face of America -- bold & free

Those from afar were able to watch it on c-span. This march may well be a turning point in the history of America and you were part of it.

Be very proud

Yer Canadian friend.

[Ripley]

40. Harper...that is Excellent!!

I am proud of you and all that took the bus to DC and back!!

I appreciate all drop-ins of the march in this thread....

[zelzebud]

33. Most youth can't afford to fly to DC for the weekend

They are not rich like Gloria Steinem, Hillary, Nancy Pelosi, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathleen Turner, Cybil Shepherd etc. Most young people are busy working or trying to keep their heads above the poverty line. I can't even find more than a few minutes to spend online between jobs and kids. I don't know how some of you have 24*7 to spend here on DU but I envy you for it.

[harper]

52. You don't need to be rich

The ticket on the bus was $140 and we took our own food. Three of us shared a hotel room. So we made the trip for less that $200 plus money for t-shirts. Not a lot of money for such a worthy cause. I worked an overtime shift to pay for the trip.

Now I know that some people can't afford even that much and others truly don't have the time. But you don't need to be "rich like Gloria Steinem" to go to the rally.

[Iceburg]

36. Ripley .. when will men pick up the torch ....

I don't care how old they are ... just do something beyond playing paintball with yer buds, and then declaring war on every nation on the planet.

"THIS WAS THE LARGEST PROTEST IN AMERICAN HISTORY"

My question: When will you recognise the collective efforts of many to organize and support such bold and courageous act in American history?

In answer to your question -- "Where are the young women?"
Look and yee shall see. Listen and yee shall hear.

[Ripley]

48. Was that a question?

Yes. It is okkay..

[cally]

37. A HS senior organized the rally in SF

She was frustrated that she couldn't attend the DC rally so she organized her own! I was impressed.

I agree with you Ripley. I think much of the fault lies with the organizers and the need to fit in so many speakers. A few younger college age organizers should have been given the podium even if they are not famous. Salon has an article on this subject and how feminist leaders do not have heiresses to pass the baton to. Also, the article quotes someone who was trying to get celebrities that the younger actresses are afraid it would hurt their careers. :eyes:

Link to the salon article: (It is subscription but you can get a one day pass.)

http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2004/04/26/womens_march/index.html

[Ripley]

42. Passing the torch...

Too many young women (celebrities) are what, SELFISH, controlled by some asshole, SELFISH, I could go on, I won't.

I wasn't trying to put "blame" upon anyone at this march! Obviously there is a lack of young women offering their help. I do not blame the organizers.

Peace Cally. :hi:

[drfemoe]

54. This is just sad ..

"I wanted the cast of 'Sex and the City,' I wanted the cast of 'Friends,'" she said of her Hollywood organizing for the march. "But we live in an atmosphere of fear. It's hard to get people out." Tyne Daly in Salon article

Fear. Not fear of "Terror". Fear of OUR society/culture.
Champion freedom at your own risk.

[Iris]

38. Gloating because they consider themselves "abortion survivors" - -

at least for the first 12 years or so of their lives.

[drfemoe]

41. First march in 12 years ..

Maybe the younger "celebs" will catch up. Maybe not. The reveolution will happen with or without them. Who knows why the organizers didn't seek out younger speakers as well.

Other diversity included >> emphasis added

Nearly a million people from more than 60 countries flooded Washington, D.C. Sunday to participate in the March for Women's Lives, a demonstration that called for reproductive freedom, healthcare, family planning, and rights for women both in the United States and abroad. ...

Among the more than 1400 cosponsoring organizations were college groups, faith councils, gay rights groups, and pro-choice Republican groups.
http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18508

edit: here you go >>

The roster of other celebrities, who have endorsed it, includes Oscar winners Charlize Theron and Helen Hunt, along with actresses Julia Stiles, Demi Moore, Sharon Stone, Kirsten Dunst, Salma Hayek, Uma Thurman, model Cindy Crawford and pop singers Christina Aguilera and Pink.
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=22&art_id=vn20040426130835474C541294&set_id=1

[Ripley]

44. It's all good...

Thanks for the celeb list. But those women must go out of their way to make sure their likeness is not associated with this event or we would see them no?

Chicken Shit movie stars: Salma, Uma, Cindy, Pink, whomever...why aren't they getting their photos there? MONEY.

Money over conscience.

[drfemoe]

49. It would be interesting to

know who the speakers were at the last march, twelve years ago, in 1992.

I'm not sure it's all about "MONEY". It's worth giving some thought. Not ALL actors have chosen to use their status to influence public opinion. A lot of them do. Is it just about money, or something more? I'm not sure.

** I'm going to search for info re: 1992 march speaker roster. Good topic for discussion ...

[Ripley]

51. Money....

Everyone.

[Zorra]

45. I believe I heard 3 or 4 college students speak, students that were

campus activists. This was on C-span

I remember one of the women saying that one-third of the marchers were college age or younger.

[Cleita]

46. Most young women have grown up since Roe vs. Wade.

Reproductive rights and abortions have been available to women the whole time so they don't have a realistic concept of how it was before women had legal control over their reproduction. Maybe someone needs to make a movie about that time. Scriptwriters???

[Ripley]

47. Uh oh.

Thanks.

[drfemoe]

53. MTV covered the story >

http://www.now.org/history/slideshows/march2004

I like the idea for a movie. I was a teen in 1973. Before RoevWade, I knew a lot a girls who were getting married. Afterwards, many who were getting abortions. Where do we go from here?

When Hillary said "we" haven't had to march for 12 years, that wasn't entirely accurate. There have been other women's marches during those years ...
http://www.now.org/history/92march.html

The Suffragist Example
...
A suffrage parade in 1913 on the eve of President Wilson's inauguration was marred by violence, but also helped to integrate the movement. Members of the Black sorority Delta Sigma Theta marched as a delegation, while Black journalist and anti-lynching activist Ida B. Wells marched side-by-side with white women from Illinois.

In 1916 and 1917 suffragists picketed the White House, with one silent picket leading to the arrest of 218 women from 26 states. The 19th amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote passed Congress in 1919 and was ratified in 1920.
http://www.now.org/history/protests.html