Challenge: Women Unbound – November 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010

Yet another book challenge! Click on the badge to access the challenge site and join.

Here is some basic information around this challenge taken from the site:

The challenge runs from November 1, 2009-November 30, 2010, but you may join in the fun whenever you wish!   Participants are encouraged to read nonfiction and fiction books related to the rather broad idea of ‘women’s studies.’  The definition according to Merriam-Webster

• the multidisciplinary study of the social status and societal contributions of women and the relationship between power and gender.

Interested in participating? Great! There are three levels you can choose as a reader (you can count books for other challenges as well):

• Philogynist: read at least two books, including at least one nonfiction one.
• Bluestocking: read at least five books, including at least two nonfiction ones.
• Suffragette: read at least eight books, including at least three nonfiction ones.

WOMEN UNBOUND Start of Challenge Meme:

1. What does feminism mean to you? Does it have to do with the work sphere? The social sphere? How you dress? How you act?

Feminism to me is a human rights issue. It is accessing the innate strength and knowledge that women have to sustain themselves. Which means supporting their/our collective right to live a life of their/our own choosing – meaning access to basic and equal human rights. This also commonly includes any faction or group that often does not have access to basic rights - for example the GLBT community and people of color. Feminism is linked intimately with gender, race, and class issues.

2. Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not?

I believe that all women are essentially feminist, although they may be adverse to the label and may not claim to be. I think that those whom deny it must misunderstand it, are misinformed, and/or ignorant around the issues. They are judging all feminists on a small faction of publicized feminists which are labeled radical and angry. (I do understand and support this anger.)

3. What do you consider the biggest obstacle women face in the world today? Has that obstacle changed over time, or does it basically remain the same?

The current back lash which labels feminists negatively is what I believe to be the biggest challenge. Where would we be with out our mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers fighting for our ability to vote, to be able to own property, the ability to choose whom we marry, to leave abusive partners? The list goes on.

What I think so many women (and men) forget and what I frequently remind myself, is that in the US my great, great grandmother, was not allow to own property. She was considered the property of her father and husband. This was less than 100 years ago. My question is this how did we move into more enlightened times? Strong women who where and are feminists!

I encourage anyone who has negative feelings around feminism to join this challenge and to focus on the historical background and the women who went to jail, died, and endured horrible situations trying to gain the right to vote for women, the ability to own property, the right to an education, and the right to choose her/our own path in life.

Non of this means women/we have to forsake their/our values, our families, our religion (I am not religious), and our femininity.

My commitment to the challenge:

I will be reading from the Bluestocking Level: which is to read at least five books, including at least two nonfiction ones. I have decided upon a “book pool” since I like my “freedom to choose”. Here is a list of books that are already included in other challenges, links to other lists, blogs, and groups where I may access books from:

1. New Eves - ed Janrae Frank
2. Herland - Charlotte Perkins Gilman
3. Grass – Sherri Tepper
4. Anything by Octavia E. Butler
5. O Pioneer - Willa Cather
6. One of Ours - Willa Cather
7. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
8. The Delta of Venus - Anais Nin
9. The Good Earth - Pearl S. Buck
10. The House of Spirit - Isabella Allende
11. The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver
12. The Wide Sargasso Sea - Jean Rhys
13. Their Eyes Where Watching God - Zora Neal Hurston
14. Women of Wisdom - Tsultrim Allione
15. Stepmonster - Wednesday Martin PhD
16. Feminism: the Essential Writings - ed Mirian Schneir
17. The Feminine Mystique - Betty Friedan

TBA – A book which is counter to feminism for contrast and reflection

Personal Lists from Goodreads:

• Goodreads Spec Fic Feminist list
• Goodreads Women’s Studies list
• Goodreads Strong Female Character list

Other places to find books:

• Science Fiction in Biology - Blog
• Feminist Review - Blog and on Goodreads
• Action Heroine Fans – Goodreads Group

I am looking forward to all the participant’s thoughts and reviews for this challenge!

To link to the challenge site’s participants lists click here. For the links to all the reviews link here.

Reviews:

1. Stepmonster by Wednesday Martin  - non fiction
2. A Map of Home by Randa Jarrar  - general fiction
3. Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan - fantasy
4. Soulless by Gail Carrigan – urban fantasy
5. Fun Home by Allison Bechdel – non fiction graphic novel

Challenge complete!

I will continue to post related readings below and to the challenge site.