Betty Friedan passes away

[Norajane]

"Betty Friedan, whose manifesto "The Feminine Mystique" became a best seller in the 1960s and laid the groundwork for the modern feminist movement, died Saturday, her birthday. She was 85."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060205/ap_en_ot/obit_friedan_12

A woman has got to be able to say, and not feel guilty, `Who am I, and what do I want out of life?' She mustn't feel selfish and neurotic if she wants goals of her own, outside of husband and children," Friedan said.

 

[sophia jane]

So sad to hear it. She definitely made her mark, though.

 

[Subo97]

feminist pioneer

Often lost in the discussion of feminism over the last 40 years is the reality that feminism frees men as much as it does women. We have Betty Friedan to thank for moving that argument along. Although she'll never get the acclaim and public admiration that martin Luther King Jr. has achieved, her writings and speeches I dare say have meant as much to the lives of women as that great orator. many women who have no doubt never even heard of her, still took grasp of ideas she espoused and made themselves responsible for their own lives. I prefer the company of women who are full human beings, just as I prefer men of the same ilk. Many women owe that fullness to pioneers like Betty Friedan.

 

[Guest]

Often lost in the discussion of feminism over the last 40 years is the reality that feminism frees men as much as it does women. We have Betty Friedan to thank for moving that argument along. Although she'll never get the acclaim and public admiration that martin Luther King Jr. has achieved, her writings and speeches I dare say have meant as much to the lives of women as that great orator. many women who have no doubt never even heard of her, still took grasp of ideas she espoused and made themselves responsible for their own lives. I prefer the company of women who are full human beings, just as I prefer men of the same ilk. Many women owe that fullness to pioneers like Betty Friedan.

Yes.

 

[shereads]

It took courage to be a feminist in her day. It's still not a popular role, but it was enough to draw threats back then. She was reviled and ridiculed as a freak of nature for suggesting that women might have the capacity for more than marriage and motherhood.

People like Betty Friedan are the first ones to storm the beach. Generations later, when the changes she helped instigate have benefitted women who scorn feminism, it's easy to forget what she risked.

Thank you, Ms. Friedan. If the rain stops tomorrow, I might finally burn a bra in your honor.

 

[rgraham666]

I'm with Subo on this one.

Anything that restricts other people from finding themselves restricts me as well.

Rest well, Betty. You did good.

 

[Pure]

Yes she's one of the originals and will be sorely missed!

 

[BohemianEcstasy]

Whoa! I'm actually reading The Feminine Mystique right now and I hadn't heard she died. Wow...crazy.

 

[hugo_sam]

Rest In Peace
You helped inspire at least a generation or more

 

[impressive]