From Mother's Dream to "A Woman's Nation" -- Shriver Charts Progress for American Women

As someone who also lost an incredible humanitarian mother this year, I can relate deeply to the force behind Marie Shriver’s new report, “A Woman’s Nation.” In one ear echoes the words of Marie’s mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, “You can do it, Maria! Get going! Get moving!" In the other ear, come whispers of soft caution as her mother says, “Maria, this may be a man's world, but you can and will succeed in it.” By a long shot, this wasn’t Eunice Shriver’s last word on the subject.

I know Maria’s mom, Eunice, would be proud of such a mammoth undertaking as the 438 page document for, “A Woman’s Nation.” And yes… if anyone asks, I did take time to closely read much more than just the summary. With plenty of graphs, visuals and text, “A Woman’s Nation” covers the terrain of women’s (and men's) ideas about their own progress in America from 1979 to 2008. This mapping is invaluable as a key to America’s look at itself; something America isn’t always so good at accomplishing.

While staking a claim in favour of the report, America’s number one feminist, Gloria Steinem, outlines the strengths, as well as weaknesses, in the goals of the report. “It’s Not a Man’s World or a Woman’s Nation,” says Gloria in the title of her critique for her training, advocacy and media watchdog group, The Women’s Media Center. “Will this $250,000 poll and estimated $2 million project succeed in creating real change where so many others have failed?” asks Steinem realistically.

In a one-on-one interview, I recently had a chance to ask Iranian Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Shirin Ebadi, a similar question about women’s progress; but this question was about Iran women and global women specifically. “Have global women made progress?” I asked Ebadi. As my interview question was translated, Ebadi became quiet and answered with a smooth objective voice, “Yes," she said. "Women have made progress. I feel optimistic for global women and optimistic about this progress,” she added.

This statement was amazing for someone like me to hear. I’ve been working hard on women’s global issues for over ten years and Shirin Ebadi’s words were music in my ears. Could this fact also be true for American women? Maria Shriver digs deep to answer this question in her report as she partners with economy, political science, sociology and family experts; along with a University of California Berkeley School of Law (Warren Institute) senior fellow and a star-studded team of women “trail-blazers” including Oprah Winfrey, Suze Orman, Tammy Duckworth, Billie Jean King and Patricia Kempthorne.

In highlighting the role of modern women in today’s society, we can’t assume that every American woman, who now has finally reached an equal, 50/50 status, in “bringing home the bacon” is also a 50/50 equal receiver of perks, benefits or days off at her place of work. Even with gains, how many American women still feel short changed at work? A detailed opinion survey outlines this short-fall clearly with a graph and following analysis.

These and more questions like, “Do you agree or disagree? Men today are less interested in playing the macho role than they were in years past,” are included in graph form throughout the entire document. Surprisingly, 63% of all men surveyed say they do agree. It looks like American men are finally beginning to move away from an interest in basic American machismo to a core interest in “cooperative family relationships.”

Like their global sisters, I know American women want equal opportunity. Let’s hope this report finds a way to bring a deep appreciation of this fact, with resulting improvement, to the political, humanitarian, social and business lives for women across the US.

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Maria Shriver talks with Matt Lauer about the inspiration of her mother and the new release of her report, "A Woman's Nation," which covers the current progress (and limitations) in the home and work experience of American women. Governor Granholm and First Gentleman Dan Mulhern also sit down with Shriver to discuss the changing roles of women (and men!) in America for the TV series, running through Wednesday on the Today Show.

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Humanitarian journalist, Lys Anzia, is a 2006 Pushcart Prize nominee, public radio producer and award winning American historical playwright. She is also Founder/Editor-At-Large for Women News Network - WNN, an award winning news network that brings hard featured, in-depth women's global news to the public as well as over 480 UN agencies and affiliates worldwide.

Follow Lys Anzia on Twitter: www.twitter.com/womenadvocates

Comments

[Moshka]

There will be no "woman's world" or "mother's dream" until choices about age of pregnancy, abortion, methods of delivering a baby and methods of feeding a newborn are left to the mother/woman and not anyone else.

[billhodges]

Women need to enjoy the freedoms they have now in many countries because within the next 50 years they will be relegated to the sub human position of a radical Muslim woman where they will do as told and maybe even not be allowed to drive like in that bastion of freedom Saudi Arabia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou5iaVSw_dE

[78713psf]

I think there should be special segments about women in education (teachers, students,parents)
Self-esteem, and "uncaucasian" women and how these topics intersect.
I was disheartend by today's news about a asian(which one)-caucasian american woman who won a beauty contest at a predominantly black college. Although her desire for acceptance and validation as an attractive co-ed is normal, I think her apparent state of denial is not. According to the news segment, she did not address the concerns of her college sisters (who don't look anything like her). They emotionally responded about the non-student judges choice to represent all those Black women who are just discovering who they are and looking for valdation hemselves. The whole situation was a reminder of how I feel as an African-American woman developing my self-esteem among the ethnic majority-whatever that is.