I posted a repeat of this post last year after Rosalynn Carter, the wife and life partner of former president Jimmy Carter was laid to rest. She spent decades advocating for mental health issues. Her husband respected and advocated the equality of women and often advocated for them in print and speeches. With the attack on the rights of US women today, the importance of Jimmy Carter’s words remains.
I have written before about the book “Half the Sky” by Nicholas Kristoff and Sheryl WuDunn about the global maltreatment of women and girls. This difficult read speaks of how women and girls are treated as second class citizens or even possession in many parts of the world. Not only is that wrong in principle, it is foolish as countries are competing in a world with only half its assets.
An additional book worth reading on this subject is penned by former president Jimmy Carter called “A Call to Action.” It leverages further the work of Kristof and WuDunn, but brings the arguments home to America as well as speaking to the global problem.
While we are still only beginning to give notoriety to sexual abuse in the US military and on our college campuses after long ignoring the problems, while we are finally highlighting the impact and prevalence of domestic violence toward women that occurs in our society, we are still largely unaware that we have a non-inconsequential sex trafficking industry within America. We have sex slaves being brought in from other countries in addition to the women stolen from within our own communities.
I have read Carter’s book as well and find his arguments and anecdotes compelling. It is also a difficult, but must read. Carter has been one of the best ex-Presidents we have ever had. He has done more good for humanitarian causes and his voice is a powerful one and full of substance. We should heed his, Kristof and WuDunn’s messages and begin to better address the maltreatment of women.
And, since Carter is one of the more learned people about the Christian bible having taught Sunday school for many decades, he offers many good examples of how religious text can be taken out of context to diminish women. This is not restricted to the bible as other religious texts have been similar misapplied. It is obvious from the reading Carter is offended by such, as he sees the role of women in the church as a key. My family was no different, as my mother was the religious leader in the family who got us up and to church for both Sunday school and the service.
Our world and country need stronger positioning of women. I am delighted to see more women running for office in the US. At long last, the US has a female Vice-President. And, what I am also witnessing is the more courageous politicians are not necessarily the men. The example of Liz Cheney is a good one as she stood her ground in the eyes of death threats from people in her own party. I will never forget ten female Senators in 2013 told Ted Cruz and other male Senators at impasse to get out of the pool at the very last minute to avoid the US defaulting on its debts.
musingsofanoldfart 
Note to Readers: Just to state the obvious, women have rights in our country, especially about their own body.
To illustrate my point, let’s reverse the equation. What if the Supreme Court ruled that sex is only for procreation and men who are caught having sex with the use of a condom shall be arrested. Men who have a vasectomy shall also be arrested. And, any underage teen boy caught having sex will he arrested unless married. But, you say that is an infringement on his rights. Yes, it is.
And, just for the record, those evangelical ministers and politicians who are crying out for women not being able to vote, they deserve every bit of criticism they receive. By the way, more than 50% of college students are women, so maybe we should deny men the right to vote. Just saying.
One final comment – I read from a 2011 Guttmacher Institute survey of American women ages 15 to 44 the following summary: “Among women who are currently at risk of unintended pregnancy, 88% overall—and 87% of Catholics—use a method other than natural family planning.” In essence, American Catholic women disagreed with the church’s position on birth control. The substantial percentage was surprising.
An excellent and much needed article Keith. I could use up a lot of space speaking of the virtues and accomplishment of women I’ve known in my extended family, Church, career, military, and societies of every continent of the world, which I lived in during the course of my life. In every case, they only needed the opportunity and support of those close to them to achieve noteworthy success. I am familiar with the Biblical degrading of women especially noted by Peter. Yet we see no specific reference from God or especially by Jesus that marginalized women. In fact, they were exalted even from their low status in life. Misinterpretation is the key word. Many men in the 20 centuries after the Resurrection of Christ have dared to believe that they speak for God and understand his thoughts as they reveal their opinions on matters they have no intellectual or experiential basis to speak. Respect for women and men worthy of respect begins in their families and continues to the families they marry into or the social groups they join. When this is achieved, those who take such positive virtues into the workplace and politics will create an environment where women and girls thrive and this impacts men and boys in a positive life affirming way. Too idealistic? Of course, but we can try.
Thanks Hyperion. I greatly appreciate your personal context and thoughts. Well written. Keity
PS – Picking up on a key theme of Hyperion’s excellent comment, women played a huge role in keeping Christianity alive. The Romans for decades following the crucifixion of Christ were brutal on Christians, so they worshiped in secret. Often these secret worship sessions occurred in the homes of Christians with the wives hosting the meeting with food and wine served.
Also, Roman leaders would send their wives to spy on what Jesus was saying. Unbeknownst to the leaders, their wives liked what he was saying. Yet, they would downplay what they heard as they reported back. Think about that. These women were protective of Jesus.
Keith, I have no personal knowledge of your past President, but if the media is even half true, he is not a man I’d want as a friend.
The fact that about half of the American electorate seems to support him says what for the country?
I can only suggest should Trump be re-elected you should come here, we’d welcome you we open arms.
Our country needs more open and clear thinking people and America obviously no longer wants or needs you.
Thanks Jon. I hope I don’t need to take you up on your kind offer. Keith