I travel in two crowds. The first is a group of amazing women –feminists who are articulate, engaged and sometimes outraged by the status of women and women’s rights. They are activists, writers, and all around really cool chicks (although some of them might take offense at the term “chicks”). I don’t really spend that much time with them outside of Facebook, Twitter, blogs and Google groups. But I admire, respect and relate to them and to many others.
The second is another group of amazing women – my friends and neighbors – mothers who are committed to their families – especially their children, and are involved in the schools and their communities. I do hang out with them, when our schedules permit, and I also admire, respect and relate to them. Unlike the first group of women, this group rarely mentions feminism and may not even self identify as feminists.
On paper, these two groups appear radically different. But I know there is plenty of common ground. Group one discusses equal pay, reproductive rights, violence against women, misogynistic media practices. Group two is more likely to talk about Drop Dead Diva, soccer practice and PTO. But their lives are impacted just as much by the first set of issues. And I think to myself, “Hello Ladies, you need to hear this.”
- Hello Ladies: Did you know women earn, on average, .78 cents for every dollar a man earns? That’s means less income for your family.
- Hello Ladies: A pregnant women was recently jailed because she might harm her fetus. Are you a perfect mother? Watch out you could be incarcerated next.
- Hello Ladies: Yes I love Real Housewives of New Jersey too, but did you know reality TV perpetuates sexist stereotypes?
- Hello Ladies: You have a shoe addiction. No problem there actually. I do too.
I’m not asking you to burn your bra (although you can if you want to), or to march on Washington. All I ask is that you visit Hello Ladies from time to time to chat about the things that matter to women (and sign the occasional petition) whether that is feminism, politics, family, work, or my personal favorite, shoes. Hello Ladies, this site is for you.
