Without Betty Friedan and others, we would be much farther from gender equality than we are. There is still work to be done, we must not let her down.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Betty Friedan, the feminist crusader and author whose searing first book, "The Feminine Mystique," ignited the contemporary women's movement in 1963 and as a result permanently transformed the social fabric of the United States and countries around the world, died yesterday, her 85th birthday, at her home in Washington.

The cause was congestive heart failure, said Emily Bazelon, a family spokeswoman.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

<center><FONT COLOR="#000080">--- Edited 1 times, lastly by Wyldflower on Feb 05, 2006 ---</FONT></center>

''I thought once," [Betty Friedan] said, ''about what should be put on my gravestone:

<center>'She helped make women feel better about being women
and therefore better able to freely and fully love men.' "</center>

We've lost a great woman whose life enriched all of our lives, even the lives of those who thought she was wrong.

I find it frustrating trying to explain (to a younger person) what it was like to be an emerging woman in the 70's. The real problems of life at the time are so inconcievable - you get (With raised eyebrows) "You mean you couldn't wear pants to school -why not?")

Can you imagine what it was like for Betty Friedan in the 30's, 40's & 50's. What an amazing the level of strength, insite and courage.

This has been a tough week for humanity: Loosing Wendy, Mrs. Scott King and now Betty Friedan. We are all stronger, smarter, and more powerful because of them. Their legacy is best honored if we relate their same values to the new "upcoming" generation of both women and men. We have to prevent the resurgence of another age of "deliberate neglect".

<center><FONT COLOR="#000080">--- Edited 4 times, lastly by RegFaith on Feb 06, 2006 ---</FONT></center>

There was a great "In Memorium" story on Betty, on Jim Lehrer, last night. I heard on the radio while at work yesterday.I know what you mean Regina. We have to keep telling, 'coz there are signs of regression slowly creeping in lately, especially with the rise of the neo cons etc. (and you know, all that crap about the youth of today going to hell coz their Mommy isn't home baking cookies for them to have with milk when they get home from school)How many families do you know of our age who's Mom's were there and their kids still are addicts or divorced etc. etc?
Yep Shel, we can be who we really are without disposing of men, she always taught that. There are those men around who will not try to make us be what we are not. (as some us well know)
Betty was always saying,be who you are,you can be anyone you want to be. I agree so much with that. I hate it when people try to put people in a mould just because they are a certain gender, age or whatever. That includes men too. Boy can you imagine having the whole weight of the financial burden of a family for yor whole life!! It's gotta be a relief for lots of the men these days. So they have lots to thank Betty for too!
I like to tell the young ones about how not that long ago you had to give up your job if you got pregnant, and before that, when you got married. And how lots of men wouldn't let their wives work or their daughters go to college.They find it unbelievable, so yes it is important that they read Betty and Co.
What a WOMAN!!! RIP Betty!