Feminist weekend - DC edition

Why yes, it is 100 degrees in the nation's capital. So take advantage of some feminist-friendly events this weekend that also feature air-conditioning.

Kelly Castillo's "Renaissance Reduxx" exhibition skewers traditional gender roles and the many personas modern women juggle. Free at Art Whino Gallery through July 5.

Thanks to Title IX, women are entitled to equal educational and athletic opportunities. What better way to celebrate our hard-earned rights than with a WNBA game - cheer for the Washington Mystics as they take on the Phoenix Mercury 4pm on Sunday at the Verizon Center.

Then toodle over to Dance Place for Word Dance Theater's performances of choreography by feminist and modern dance pioneer Isadora Duncan. Tickets are $22 for the Saturday and Sunday evening productions.

Enjoy!

Photo: ellajphillips on Flickr

C Vivian Stringer Inducted into Hall of Fame!

Rutgers basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Friday. Stringer is the first coach, male or female, to lead three different teams to the Final Four (Cheyney State University, 1982; Iowa University, 1993; and Rutgers University 2000 & 2007), according to the Boston Globe. Stringer also ranks third in Division I women's basketball career victories with 825. She began coaching in 1972 at Cheyney State University.

In light of the Hall of Fame induction, Stringer told the New York Times, "I grew up in a time when we didn't have organized sports for girls. Now, because of Title IX, players are able to make a million dollars doing this. Who would have thought they'd give you 10 cents?" In her remarks at the induction, she said "I am here, perhaps, because of the wins that we've had, but the truth of the matter is that the reason I continue to coach is because I'm trying to create young women who are leaders and role models. So my work is never done," reported the Star Ledger.

Stringer was inducted into the Hall of Fame along with Michael Jordan, NBA legend and Olympian; John Stockton, who holds the NBA career records for assists and steals; Jerry Sloan, long-time head coach of the Utah Jazz; and David Robinson, Olympian and member of two NBA championship teams.

Source: Feminist Majority Foundation Daily Newswire

Photo credit: flickr.com/ryan fung

Running Star Hits a Road Block

There is always controversy when you mix women and sports, especially in sports that have been labeled "men's" sports by the general public and women succeed over their male counterparts. The latest upset among the sports community centers around new South African running star Caster Semenya.

Semenya crushed her rivals and won the women's world 800 meter title, making it the best time for the 800 meter in the world this year. Apparently, the controversy is over Semenya's "masculine" appearance, pared with her outstanding achievements in her racing this year.

Sports officials have now asked for the 18-year-old's gender to be verified, accusing her of lying about her gender. They have planned to conduct a gender identification test to either prove or disprove their suspicions.

I really feel all of this hubbub about whether Semenya is a "true" woman or not is overshadowing her outstanding performance. And all of this is just based on a "feeling" that sports officials have, completely based on how she looks.

I see a trend in this story that is similar to many other situations when a woman succeeds in something that is normal deemed a "male" field or when a woman "looks" masculine. Similar to the blog post I wrote yesterday on women's self-image and bodies, we need to wake up and realize that women come in many difference forms and appearances, just like men. And when women do something good, we shouldn't ask questions or try to devalue their accomplishments. Just congratulate them.

Photo courtesy of jimw on flikr.com

Female Boxers on Their Way to the Olympics

A step forward has been made today for women athletes around the world (although it cannot be ignored that it has taken far too long!). Today the International Olympic Committee gave the final okay to include women's boxing in the 2012 Summer Games in London! This means that all 26 sports included in the games will now have male and female athletes/competitions. Although there are still disparities in the number of medals female vs. male boxers can win (3 compared to 10) I am happy to see that the IOC is taking a long awaited step in the right direction. Congratulations to our badass boxing sisters!