Of all the things I’ve learned researching what women voters really think about Hillary Clinton, and whether they love her or love her not as the possible first woman president of the United States, not once has anyone ever said, “You know, I’d really like her lot and she’d have my support, if only [...]
I don't want to start another round of the current feminist wars. There are plenty of skirmishes all around depending on your age or background or point of view, the latest of which has Millennial "third wavers" upset with some rather tone deaf remarks on behalf of baby boomer Hillary Clinton by some of her [...]
When did women get to the point where they have to declare themselves moms above all else in order to be perceived as acceptable to the public? We heard it again and again and again at the presidential nominating conventions. And if not mothers, then caretakers of some sort -- supportive friend, helpful wife. Even [...]
Michelle Obama, Elizabeth Warren, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz each have two things in common. They were featured speakers at the Democratic National Convention and they're moms. I'm not bringing up their motherhood status because I think it's important. They did. I'm the first person to applaud women who are mothers who openly embrace their [...]
Marissa Mayer, welcome to the 2012 "Having It All Olympics!" I'm sure you're feeling warmly welcomed to this corner of the world now that you've announced your Google departure and your new gig as the CEO at floundering Yahoo! And you shared more good news by letting the world know via Twitter that you're having [...]
Princess Merida in Disney/Pixar's new movie Brave is a strong girl. She has brains. She's headstrong. She knows her own mind. She is physically strong. She's an accomplished equestrian. She doesn't want an arranged marriage. She's smarter than the guys (except for when it comes to dealing with a magical witch). The media buzz about [...]
Excuse me, moms. Have you ever stepped off your work or career path to be a full-time stay-at-home parent? If so then you, like me, are to blame for the impending demise of feminism. At least that's what one so-called social critic is trying to get everyone to believe. Just when you [...]
Think Progress and its chart says it better than words: But you know what the right will say. Only socialists go in for paying women for time off care for newborns. I wonder if Redneck Mom has an extra room at her place? I know it gets cold in Canada, but I've gotta love any [...]
Every few years when the media need something to boost ratings, they turn to the tried and true mommy wars. It's not a heavy lift and does wonders for ratings and ad sales! Every two years, we get redefined for the latest election cycle -- soccer moms, security moms, minivan moms. Retailers grab onto labels [...]
You know you're always looking for something new to read over the weekend! Here are some picks for you from some of the blogs I've been reading this week: Kristen at Rage Against the Minivan takes on the question of whether we really have to have another adoption-related blogosphere fight. At the Huffington Post, Jessica [...]
When I was first starting out as a young journalist, I believed there was no question that I would get paid the same salary as men doing the same job. After all, we'd come a long way, right? Women were not just "weather girls" anymore; we were becoming investigative journalists and sports anchors and producers. [...]
Dear Hillary, I so loved your speech last week from the Women in the World conference, as well as Meryl Streep's brilliant introduction of you. You've had so many wonderful and inspiring moments as someone who has been a tireless champion for women around the world. I love this "best of" reel of just a [...]
As part of my ongoing duties over at iVillage iVote during the 2012 election, I get to be part of some amazing video conversations, like this one with iVillage Chief Correspondent Kelly Wallace and author/activist Gloria Feldt. We had a great time dishing about why there aren't more women running for political office. Lots of [...]
PunditGirl: Mom, why don't you and dad like Rick Santorum? Me: Well, remember a couple of years ago, when we talked about how babies get made? PunditGirl: Yeah .... Me: And remember how you got all worried and said, "But Mom, what if I don't want to have a baby? What if I want to [...]
If you're feeling a little rogue, get ready for more Mama Grizzly than you can stand because Sarah Palin is coming to multiple screens near you! As frustrated and conflicted Republicans are trying to choose a standard bearer to challenge President Obama, is it any coincidence that Palin's PAC has announced the re-release [...]
There's plenty of sexism and downright misogyny among talking heads and commentators to go around. Neither the left not the right has a lock on who's worse. As many people, including myself, have called out Rush Limbaugh for his recent remarks calling a Georgetown law student a "slut" and a "prostitute" for her [...]
The last two news cycles have been filled with reports of Rush Limbaugh's so-called "apology" to Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke. No doubt, you've all heard by now that Limbaugh's faulty understanding of how the birth control pill works (Rush, it's not like Viagra, which we know you know a lot about), led him [...]
It's hard not to get caught up in the whirlwind of the election cycle and the impending Super Tuesday contests. But when I need a little break, I go looking for something to read that will get me centered again, and not so focused on politics. Here are a few of my must-reads this week: [...]
I feel like I'm living in the time of Hester Prynne and her Scarlet Letter in light of the ongoing and escalating attacks on women's health, especially when it comes to anything concerning our 'lady parts.' Some women on the right say birth control has nothing to do with our health. I say, "What?" Recently, [...]
White guy, white guy, white guy, white guy with a yamulke, black guy. I don't have an image I can show, but that's how I would describe the witnesses invited to Capitol Hill by Republican Congressman Darrell Issa (also a white guy) to talk about -- prescription birth control! Well, Issa claims his oversight [...]
If Rick Santorum wants women voters to support his presidential candidacy, he might want to stop talking about women. Soon. He’s clearly doing well with conservative Christian voters around the country, as his wins in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado show. But Santorum can’t win the big contest in November without women. And in light [...]
It was really just a matter of time until Michele Bachmann’s presidential race was over. I had a sense that things were close when her children showed up with her on interviews right before the Iowa Caucuses. When a candidate starts appearing with their extended family mid-campaign, it’s almost never a good sign. [...]
So my friends over at the Curvy Girl Guide (if you haven't checked them out, you MUST) brought this movie poster to my attention for the remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. As Hollywood movie posters go you might think this one is par for the course -- dark, brooding guy [...]
GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain isn’t really making a name for himself as a champion for women. With allegations from at least four women that he sexually harassed them, and possibly sexually assaulted one, you’d think he’d dial back the anti-woman rhetoric, especially in the series of never-ending debates the Republicans are having [...]
I sometimes use my experiences as PunditGirl's mother as a lens through which to view issues that are important to me. But PunditGirl isn't the only daughter in my life. I also have two adult step-daughters. They don't need me much at this stage of the game -- they're women with their own professional [...]
Natalie Portman has been getting flack for her Academy Awards acceptance speech for her role in "Black Swan." Not because of anything she said about the uber-psych-thriller role that won her the award or because of any Oscar night faux pas like forgetting to acknowledge her fellow Best Actress nominees. She's coming under fire for [...]
We all know this end of summer/back to school time of year is a hectic one. So while we're all trying to manage (myself included), here's some good reading from some of my favorite Mothers of Intention: Aimee Giese aka Greeblemonkey met with the First Lady of Panama to talk about Project C.U.R.E. Read more [...]
Where can you find me this weekend while I'm trying to crank out the last chapter of Mothers of Intention? Check out my weekly column Speaker of the House at The Stir -- this week, I wonder how far we've really come since some brave women sued Newsweek for gender discrimination 40 year ago. See [...]
