Posted on April 2, 2007
Senior Alexandra Robbins, president of JMU’s chapter of the National Organization of Women, said feminists face a certain societal stigma — they are always “bitching and moaning.”
“We’re trying to be a positive force,” Robbins said.
To do this, NOW set up information tables around campus throughout March to address issues of women’s equality. One endeavor NOW undertook was surveying passersby of the various tables at Zane Showker Hall, ISAT and Festival. Though the survey was not scientific and may not contain much validity, Robbins said the results were “pretty positive.”
“In general, [the survey sought] to find out how much people know,” she said, “and to get them to know it was women’s history month.”
Questions on the survey ranged from gauging people’s perceptions of feminists to whether or not people agreed with birth control being a form of contraceptive.
One question centered on whether one would vote for a female U.S. president. Among 57 male respondents, 89 percent said they would vote for a female president. That number rose slightly among females, resting just above 93 percent.
“People generally know a little history and are willing to vote for a woman president,” Robbins said.
On the national scale, one ABC/Washington Post poll reported that of 1,082 adult respondents, only 13 percent would be less likely to vote for a woman presidential candidate, while 72 percent said it “wouldn’t matter.” In a Fox News/Opinion Dynamic poll in late February, 60 percent of 900 respondents said the United States was “ready” for a female president.
March is Women’s History Month, and Robbins said it is a time for remembrance.
“[It’s a time] to remind people of the struggle women have gone through,” she said. “Complete equality has not been achieved. There are still barriers that need to be recognized.”
In terms of equality, Robbins said women are still paid consistently less than their male counterparts, and women only possess a small number of seats in Congress.
According to Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Web site, a Swiss organization that is the focus of representative democracy and worldwide parliamentary dialogue, there are only 87 women in both the Senate and House of Representatives, making up only 16 percent of the national legislature. The formerly turbulent Rwanda, is number one in terms of the percentage of female representation, at 45 percent. In the case of Rwanda however, a quota stipulates that 30 seats must be reserved for women. The notion of quotas in the United States is topic of controversy.
Sophomore Anasa King said there is a way for women to over come their struggles.
“Men need to get over themselves,” she said. “It’s as simple as that.”
She said men and women deserve the same pay if they share the same occupation.
Jessica Washington was a little more diplomatic.
“Women should keep doing what they’re doing — seeking higher positions, keep trying to close the gender gap,” the sophomore said.
In Robbins’ eyes, the struggles women continue to face can be won.
“I don’t believe they are [insurmountable],” she said. “I believe the general public believes in equality and wants equality.”
