Memories from 1977
I just watched "Sisters of '77," the documentary about the National Women's Conference in Houston in 1977. I wasn't a delegate, but I did attend, and I had forgotten a lot about what went on. There were so many leaders present: Bella Abzug (conference chair and chair of the Commission on Women), Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Rosalynn Carter, Betty Ford, Lady Bird Johnson, Eleanor Smeal, Maxine Waters, Ann Richards, Coretta Scott King. To open the event, a torch was carried from Seneca Falls to Houston, and one of the torch-bearers was Wilma Rudolph.
I do remember the endless caucuses and the depth of conflict over the 26 resolutions, all but one of which passed. Minority women and lesbian women were there in great numbers to make sure their voices were heard and their needs were met, and there was also a contingency of anti-choice women in attendance. The ERA resolution was introduced by Ann Richards at the request of Bella Abzug, and--in a reversal of her former stand, Betty Friedan spoke on behalf of the lesbian rights resolution (Friedan had been afraid that including lesbians would hurt the image of the movement).
Another thing I remember well is the presence of protesters, led by Phyllis Schlafly, who wanted the world to know that those of us attending the conference did not represent the women of America. Only we did. And we still do.
One of the greatest disappointments after the conference was the sudden disappearance of President Carter as an active ally when we needed to ratify the ERA. The media had painted a picture of Carter as weak, and his advisors told him that the first thing he needed to do was dump the women's movement. He not only turned his back on the ERA, but in a big show designed for the press, he also fired Abzug as chair of the commission. It didn't help him. He still lost to Reagan in 1980. I like to think that he is ashamed of this part of his political life.
Toward the end of the documentary, Betty Friedan sums up her life: "3 children, 9 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 6 books, and a revolution."
I do remember the endless caucuses and the depth of conflict over the 26 resolutions, all but one of which passed. Minority women and lesbian women were there in great numbers to make sure their voices were heard and their needs were met, and there was also a contingency of anti-choice women in attendance. The ERA resolution was introduced by Ann Richards at the request of Bella Abzug, and--in a reversal of her former stand, Betty Friedan spoke on behalf of the lesbian rights resolution (Friedan had been afraid that including lesbians would hurt the image of the movement).
Another thing I remember well is the presence of protesters, led by Phyllis Schlafly, who wanted the world to know that those of us attending the conference did not represent the women of America. Only we did. And we still do.
One of the greatest disappointments after the conference was the sudden disappearance of President Carter as an active ally when we needed to ratify the ERA. The media had painted a picture of Carter as weak, and his advisors told him that the first thing he needed to do was dump the women's movement. He not only turned his back on the ERA, but in a big show designed for the press, he also fired Abzug as chair of the commission. It didn't help him. He still lost to Reagan in 1980. I like to think that he is ashamed of this part of his political life.
Toward the end of the documentary, Betty Friedan sums up her life: "3 children, 9 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 6 books, and a revolution."
posted by Diane at 10:34 PM
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