Dear National Women's council, real feminists oppose abortion

Dear Orla and all at NWCI,

I am writing this email in severe disappointment.

Dear, oh dear. From one feminist (i.e. me) to another (you, I think…), a quick recap is clearly essential on the meaning of feminism and seeing as you expressed some real howlers at your recent AGM’s “strategic plan”, please read on and take note:

1. You or the NWCI don’t get to hold a monopoly on what feminism is and isn’t.

In fact, this is extremely patriarchal of you, precisely what men have done to women for millennia: “This is what you are/aren’t, what you should think and not think, etc., etc.” You don’t get to decide what THE feminist agenda for all women is and that includes abortion “rights”.

The prolife women amongst your ranks are being silenced by your “one-size-fits-all” approach to feminism and women’s rights, despite your claim to have diversity in your group. If you think that prolife women don’t exist amongst your ranks, it is simply that they remain quiet because they feel intimidated, as you have made it clear (in rather sadly stereotypically and aggressively male terms, too) what your “party line” is, as regards abortion and these women don’t want to be.

This is oppression, whatever else you might want to call it. And this is the sort of silencing that men imposed on women for too long. A quick update: yes, women CAN oppress other women and it’s easier to do than you might think.

2. Feminists come in all shapes and sizes.

Some are straight, some are gay, some are black, some are white, some are old, some are young… I presume you’re getting the picture?

3. This is where things get really interesting. Some feminists are prolife!

Wait. you may have missed that one, so I’ll say it again for the benefit of those of you at the back who weren’t listening the first time. SOME FEMINISTS ARE PROLIFE!

4. Wait, there’s more. Some are prolife and… gay, straight, black white, young, old and… atheist!

Wow! Sometimes a mixture of a variety of the above!

5. Here are some of the groups you lot really need to be familiarising yourself with:

6. And a great article from pro-choice Slate

Ladies, hold onto your bonnets and your knitting. The future is coming. And this is what it looks like:

As pro-life feminist, Destiny Herndon-De La Rosa says: “People have to understand this is a human being with their own bodily autonomy.” That argument is, she stressed, “completely a feminist message.”

7. Education is the Key

You lot need to educate yourselves, avoid sweeping statements, and do your homework on Feminism. Go back and get an extra qualification. Like I did.

For instance, you might discover that it was men, not women, who were instrumental in legalising abortion in the UK and the USA. And lots more eye-popping details that you don’t seem to know anything about – yet.

And here’s another article I just know you’ll love

What is it about, I hear you ask? Well, it’s all about the men behind the Women’s Movement and boy, there are some big wigs with even bigger wallets. But I’ll let you read it for yourselves, spoilers! And you may even be surprised by what you come across

“If we’re going to move abortion out of the books and into the streets, we’re going to have to recruit the feminists. Friedan has got to put her troops into the thing – while she still has control of them.”

What misogynist said this? Why, the NARAL co-founder, Larry Lader, of course!

Go read the other “mastermind” behind legalising abortion in the USA – the NOT very feminist Bernard Nathanson. Hey, I’ve even given you a link to amazon.co.uk! No excuse for you girls being ignorant any more, is there? Go read! Go read!

I take it you ladies don’t want to wallow in ignorance and half-informed opinions no more than I do – from one feminist to another an’ all of that.

And here’s a truly great book on what happened regarding the legalisation of abortion in the UK. It’s pricey (I wonder why? It seems suspiciously like there might be truth contained within it!) but it is worth every penny! AND it’s written by a feminist!

See, I knew you’d like that detail! Being supportive of ALL the Sisterhood, as I know that you truly are!

Yours, etc.

Maria Horan

M.A. Women’s Studies, B.A. Arts, H.Dip.Ed., H.Dip.R.E., Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge Fheidhmeach, B.A. Ed.