I love March 8th. First of all, it’s my mom’s birthday. Who wouldn’t love a day that set the stage for me coming into the world. More importantly, though, it’s International Women’s Day. And though this week, it also happens to fall on the day of Hugo Chávez’s funeral, that really only serves to remind me of the last International Women’s Day I spent in Caracas.
The last week has been filled with lots of news on the ladybusiness front. The Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization (VAWA) passed both houses and was signed by the President after much too long a delay. Domestic violence is getting all kinds of attention due to the murder of a South African woman who happened to be in a relationship with a somewhat famous Olympic athlete. Vida’s annual count of women writers, book reviewers, interviews, and contributors in major magazines came out. In many cases, it’s worse than you thought. I mean, really, essentially no change over three years?
So, for this Women’s Day, I thought I would mention the names and sites of a few female journalists and academics who I think are kicking a** for women all around. Some write on “women’s issues.” Some are so-called “feminist bloggers.” Some I saw in San Diego at the meetings and am still kicking myself for not introducing myself. Next year, Betsey, next year.
Without further ado, in no particular order, a list of women writers you should be reading.
- Jessica Valenti
- Bryce Covert
- Irin Carmon
- Betsey Stevenson
- Amaeryllis
- Ana Marie Cox
- Shelby Knox/The Radical Women’s History Project
- Amanda Marcotte
- Recently, Emiliana Duarte has been blogging at Caracas Chronicles. #upandcoming and totally awesome if you care about Venezuela
- Heidi Moore for all things finance and economics
- Melissa Harris Perry/AJC Project
There are so many more. I think that’s enough for today! Tell a woman you know she’s amazing and deserves to live a life free from violence.
ERIN K. FLETCHER 