Jone's Women's History Blog

I see that HBO is running "Iron Jawed Angels" in its "On Demand" selection. Here are a couple of relevant articles, to find out more about the history behind the story:

• Women Marchers Attacked at Inauguration
• Brutal Treatment at Occoquan
• Alice Paul biography
• Ida B. Wells-Barnett biography
• Carrie Chapman Catt biography

Sex, drugs and -- well, she was a bit too early for rock and roll. Tallulah Bankhead is better known for her lifestyle and her deep voice and outrageous wit than for her film and stage career, despite her many acting awards. Read a biography of Tallulah Bankhead, flamboyant and award-winning actress, and some Tallulah Bankhead quotes.

Image © 2002 Jone Johnson Lewis. Licensed to About.com.
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More about this story:

• Larson Children
• Her Story - Uncovering Women's Lives

The Equal Pay Act and many court decisions on pay equity revolve around the requirement that the work being compared be "equal work." But there may still be pay discrepancies between men and women if specific jobs that attract mostly women or mostly men have pay differences, yet have similar requirements for entry and performance. Thus, some have proposed -- and some have tried -- a system which tries to equalize pay based not on job title, but on the activities and entry requirements of the jobs.

• Comparable Worth

In the 18th century, it was still true that most royal succession and most power was in the hands of men. But a number of women ruled, directly or through influencing their husbands and sons. The 19th century saw both democratic revolutions and consolidation of power; a few powerful women rulers made a difference in world history.

• 18th Century Women Rulers
• 19th Century Women Rulers

In 1984, Catherine Clinton's The Other Civil War was a pioneering survey of accomplishments and experience of a century of women. The 1999 revisions update the story with recent research, enriching but not fundamentally changing the nature or organization. It's still one of the best thorough reviews of what happened during a century of incredible change for women. Clinton's preface to the 1999 edition reveals that in 1978, at Princeton University, she was asked to cover the subject of American women in the nineteenth century -- in one lecture. As she says, today "this recollection seems incomprehensible." Read more about this classic in women's history: The Other Civil War by Catherine Clinton

Kallie Szczepanski, About.com Guide to Asian History, profiles five women "who made their mark in battle" in Asian history, from ancient times through the 13th century of the modern era: 5 Legendary Warrior-Women of Asia

I can still remember a comic book version of the life of Marie Curie that someone gave me when I was fairly young. What an interesting life she chose to lead! Marie Curie, the first major woman scientist of modern times -- and perhaps the first celebrity woman scientist -- was dedicated to work and family, and made major contributions to the beginnings of modern physics. On this site:

• Marie Curie Biography
• Marie Curie Quotes
• More About Marie Curie

Washington University in St. Louis announced last week that an alumna -- with both undergraduate and law degrees from Washington University -- would be given an honorary doctorate this June.

Why is this a controversy? Because the announced recipient is Phyllis Schlafly. Quite famous (or infamous) for her successful organizing of opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s and 1980s, Schlafly has continued to take positions defending different treatment of women in the workplace, for instance favoring the banning of women from being soldiers, firefighters, or construction workers. She's recently stated her opinion that a married woman has, by marriage, consented to sex with her husband, so there cannot be such a thing as rape within marriage.

Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, recently disinvited the Rev. Jeremiah Wright to receive an honorary doctorate, and feminists are asking why Washington University doesn't do the same.

Some were especially offended that the University's announcement mentioned Schlafly's leadership of the conservative movement, but left off mention of her activism regarding women's legal rights.

In the past, Washington University has given honorary doctorates to many who had strong political views, and maintains that it is whether alumni and others "have become part of the broad public discourse on vital issues" that is a basis for selection, not agreement with the views.

Inside Higher Ed has a longer article on this controversy: Is Phyllis Schlafly Worthy of an Honorary Doctorate? (May 5, 2008)

Is Phyllis Schlafly deserving of an honorary doctorate from Washington University? Was Washington U being diplomatic or disingenuous by leaving out mention of her positions and activism on women's issues? Are the university's standards for selection wise? Are critics of the selection responding fairly?

I'd welcome your comments on this controversy below.