Ellie Smeal : “Vote Like Your Life Depends on It: Women’s Rights at Stake”

The Skirball Center Courtyard was not only stunning but also chilly! Luckily, a line of portable heaters had been set up to ensure that the numerous guests stayed warm at the 16th annual Global Women’s Rights Awards & Gala hosted by the Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF). The event began with a gathering in the outdoor space for networking and refreshments before transitioning into the Magnin Auditorium to honour women who are leading figures in the realm of human rights activism. The presence of many young women in the audience and on stage was truly heartening.

If you are unfamiliar with the Feminist Majority, you may still be a part of it. As far back as 1986, a Newsweek/Gallup poll showed that 56% of women in the U.S. openly identified as feminists. These surveys do not account for the numerous individuals, both women and men, who express sentiments like “I’m not a feminist, but…” before espousing staunchly feminist beliefs such as supporting a woman’s right to choose or advocating for equal pay for equal work. The reluctance to embrace the term “feminist” can be attributed to the vilification of the word by right-wing extremists over the years. Remember the infamous Rush Limbaugh, who coined the derogatory term “femi-nazi”? This rhetoric played a significant role in undermining the principles of gender equality. Interestingly, recent polls indicate that 61% of U.S. women strongly identify as feminists, along with 33% of men!

The FMF Awards ceremony commenced with a warm welcome from Kathy Spillar, the esteemed executive director of FMF and the executive editor of the renowned feminist publication, Ms. Magazine. Spillar was joined by the iconic labor movement figure and feminist Dolores Huerta, who at 94 years of age embodies a wealth of wisdom and activism, along with Dr. Kimberly Adams and Sonali Mudunuri.

The Champion for Equality Award was bestowed upon the Hon. Carolyn Maloney, a representative from New York, in recognition of her unwavering support for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The award was presented by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. The ERA, which is on the cusp of official recognition as a constitutional amendment, is just a few votes away from completion. The ERA has been in existence for 101 years, and the prolonged struggle to ratify it is a stark reminder of the prevalent misogyny in America.

The Courage Award presentation left the audience in awe. Introduced by Amy Brenneman, Dr. Austin Dennard, an OB-GYN from Texas, shared her harrowing experience of having to travel out of state for a crucial medical procedure to terminate a risky pregnancy. Dennard’s courageous advocacy for reproductive rights earned her the title of the pro-choice face for the Biden re-election campaign, a role she never imagined assuming two decades ago.

In a poignant demonstration of unwavering commitment and love, Mavis and Jay Leno introduced a special award. The couple recently disclosed Mavis’s battle with Alzheimer’s, a revelation that has garnered widespread media attention. Standing together at the podium, Jay Leno’s emotional tribute to Mavis underscored her role as a life-saving force in his life. The couple’s public acknowledgement of Mavis’s condition resonated deeply with the audience.

The inaugural Mavis Leno Award for Global Women’s Rights was presented to Sahra Mani, a documentary filmmaker known for her upcoming project “Bread & Roses,” set to premiere on Apple TV+ in June. The award was presented by Dr. Sima Samar, another fearless advocate for women’s rights.

As the evening drew to a close, and I strolled through the courtyard under the starry sky, I felt a sense of hope and optimism, particularly inspired by the presence of the young attendees. Their dedication and passion give me confidence that they will thwart the oppressive agendas of figures like Trump and his supporters. In the words of Gloria Steinem, “If we each have a torch, there’s a lot more light.”

Embrace the spirit of these awards by subscribing to Ms. Magazine and supporting FMF’s campaign at feminist.org to mobilise the campus vote and counter the extremism of Trump and his followers!

Ellen Snortland offers online creative writing classes with limited availability. For more details on tuition and schedule, contact ellen@beautybitesbeast.com. Explore Snortland’s other writings at ellenbsnortland.substack.com and consider becoming a subscriber.