Unconventional Women, Pt. 2

by elissabassist

Part Two of Unconventional Women? (commentary on the female-minded conference at the DNC in Denver, CO).

While I’m still (forever?) entrenched in the battle between Feminism v. Femininity, I’d be doing half the population a disservice not to acknowledge what these torch-bearers actually said (in spite of the decor). In short: I. was. so. into. these. women.

The players:

California Senator Barbara Boxer, Political Commentator Donna Brazile, CEO of Girl Scouts Kathy Cloninger, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-CA), and Former Governor Jane Swift (R-MA)

I sat in on two conversations: “On the Campaign Trail,” and “So, You’re in Office … Now What?” I was elated that individuals (who happen to have vaginas) exist who not only represent my interests, but who also fight my fight with me and for me in the political sphere on a daily basis. Dudettes, listen up, feminism is not becoming an anachron-ism.

Unconventional Women?

by elissabassist

This August I flew from San Francisco to Denver, where I was born female and raised feminist, for two reasons: vacation and the Democratic National Convention.

I had no credentials and few connections; however, I reasoned that being a Denver native and a politically-minded party-crasher was enough of a ticket, at least to check out Unconventional Women, the “historic symposium uniting 3,000 women, advancing their political leadership and participation.”

Before I reached my seat, one of the symposium volunteers bestowed magenta neck gear upon me (similar to what all the credentialed people wear to display their press pass and identification). The lanyard had an opulent oval pin attached that boasted a sepia image of a woman circa 1940s, apron clad, proffering a pie. The phrases “Unconventional Women” and “Claim your slice” framed the lady of yesteryear. My reactions were as follows (note the time delineation/thought devolution): 1. Who doesn’t love swag?; 2. It’s pink; 3. Pink, really?