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• Monday, February 6, 2006 11:44 AM

  Betty Friedan

  I was particularly interested in the title of this article since it is so clearly tied to the my memory of Betty Friedan. Fifteen years ago Betty Friedan came to speak at Occidental College where I was a student. As an active member of the feminist community on campus I was very excited to hear her speak and the auditorium was full of students. One student, who I knew to be a shy sweet person, asked Ms Friedan a question about whether it was wrong of a woman to want to stay home, to choose to be mother over having a career. This question sent Ms. Friedan onto what can only be described as a cruel humiliating tirade primarily directed at the young woman who asked the question. I remember that it made my stomach go funny and it left a bad taste for all of us who had gone to hear a "hero" speak. Over the years I have occasionally spoken with other friends who were at that talk - the Betty Freidan tirade is something that we will never forget. I am still troubled by it. I am an ardent feminist. I have to this point pursued a successful career, although I do hope to have children in the next couple years. Wasn't the idea of feminism to free women to make choices? Some people find a deep satisfaction in staying home and raising children - some men as well as women. Betty Friedan may have helped to free women to follow careers, but she should not have labeled women as fools who chose to work at home. Somewhere along the line, I think that she missed the point of her own actions.

  —bluehammock Read bluehammock's other letters
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