The Viola Voice

The National Women’s Studies Association has a blog for students. Check it out!

I used to love math. It was one of my favorite subjects in high school, in part because I was lucky enough to have really good teachers who were excited about the subject themselves. Even though I went on to pursue more arts-oriented subjects in college and beyond, I still think math is pretty cool– so much so that I have my old calculus textbook in my apartment, which I look through every so often.
Anyway, partly because of my love of math, I thought I’d share this article about a mathematician named Moon Duchin, who also had an interest in math at a young age, and then went on to Harvard to study both math and women’s studies. She was particularly interested in the Great Man theory of genius, and how it is dependent on the organization of society. Now, she weaves together her love of math with her quest for gender equality. I love that she had two seemingly separate interests which she has combined to do something truly meaningful with her life.

Read the article and tell me what you think:

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=blazing-a-trail-for-women&sc=rss

With comments about how adept a woman president would be at handling a crisis and the remaining pay gap between men and women (For the same job, on average, men earn approximately a quarter more an hour), this doesn’t seem so long ago.  We’ve come a long way but ….. 

-Alex

This article, in the Wall Street Journal, addresses the practice of “bodysnarking” (making comments about someone’s appearance). An interesting read.

We’ve been a little neglectful of the blog lately. For those of you out there, I’d like to direct your attention to a wonderful commentary from Peter Sagal at NPR about the sexism in the movie version of Horton Hears a Who. Very worth reading and sharing.

Visit the offical IWD site.

A few days ago I came across this letter to the editor in the Tri City Herald from Washington State:

Men presidents only

I think that having a woman president would be a bad idea for our country. Women are not meant to rule countries and be in charge. They are meant to make decisions but not confirm them.

Our president deals with some countries that don’t respect or allow women in leadership positions. I wonder if the United States would have more terrorist attacks because we would be seen as weak with a woman leader. I agree that women can do many things, but leave the ruling of the countries to the men.

BRITTANY BAYLES, 13, Kennewick

My immediate reaction was sadness. We live in a society where people are constantly saying that the feminist movement has done its job, that it’s unnecessary and outdated. This is proof positive that things still need to change. What experiences has Ms. Bayles had, what messages has she been given that she has come to this conclusion?

With the current election going on, I’d like to know your thoughts, Viola Voicers. Do you feel the same way as Brittany Bayles? Do you think it’s a common opinion? Which Presidential candidate would you vote for? And a bigger question: how do we get to the point where a person’s gender isn’t thought to affect the way that person can do her job?

-Ellie

Coincidentally, Amelia just brushed what I thought of to blog on this week: Finding your voice.  Shakespeare found his — made up words, a funny rhyming rhythm and plays that we can all relate to.  I think it’s important to find a voice; your voice.   I don’t mean this in the literal sense. Most of us have been blessed with working vocal cords and all the mechanisims to make them vibrate.  I mean a way to express your thoughts.  Your opinions.  Your own creativity.  Some people are attracted to the solitude and process of writing.  Some love the light of the stage.  Some enjoy the physical outlet of sport or sculpture.  Judging by the fact you’re reading this post, you’re at least somewhat attracted to theatre as your voice.  Use TVP and the theatre as an opportunity to learn and let your creative juices flow.  Be bold and let this be a way for you to create something. My own personal experience has shown me that this outlet can change and grow.  It used to be I couldn’t imagine a life without a play or rehearsal schedule.   Now I can’t imagine one where I don’t get to show that opportunity to others.  Or cook a delicious veggie dinner and practice yoga.   So now is the time to find what you have to say.  I’d certainly love to hear you – and so would TVP.   So that’s a few thoughts for you to think on.    Thoughtfully,           Alex