Phyllis Schlafly Meets Her Match: A 12 Year Old Girl

Soon after Senate Republicans unanimously blocked a vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act, Phyllis Schlafly took to the op-ed section of Christian Post and went all anti-feminist on us….again. The article itself makes me a sick to my stomach.

Schlafly begins her article by calling out “Obama and his feminist friends” for their slogan that women are paid only 77 cents for every dollar a man makes. To her, this is false. If you were wondering how the numbers could be proved false, she gives you a lengthy description.

“U.S. law calls for equal pay for equal work, but the feminist slogan is not based on equal work. Women work fewer hours per day, per week, per year. They spend fewer years as full-time workers outside the home, avoid jobs that require overtime, and choose jobs with flexibility to take time off for personal reasons. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, men are twice as likely as women to work more than 40 hours a week.”

Now, from taking statistics and other research classes, I have learned that stats can be manipulated and taken out of context in order to supplement an argument. One explanation for that statistic is because men are more likely to be in higher CEO positions where outside work and overtime are required. Give us the opportunity Ms. Schlafly, I promise we will take it.

“In two segments of our population, the pay gap has virtually ceased to exist. In the African-American community and in the millennial generation (ages 18 to 32), women earn about the same as men, if not more.”

Just to point this out, Ms. Schlafly provides no links to evidence for the statements and statistics she gives. Welcome to the 21^st century lady, we like proof. Please learn how to provide it and be a “reputable scholar,” as she would say. Also, I’m not sure about you guys, but I’m not down with “about the same as men.” Equality is equality is equality. No exceptions.

What really grinds my gears though, is that she is attempting to keep women from earning the same wage as men yet she seems to think women are the problem. Sound familiar? It should, it’s a pretty common tactic. Sexually assaulted? Your fault. Not paid equally? Your fault. Not taken seriously in the workplace? Your fault. Well Ms. Schlafly, I’m here to tell you something your parents probably never told you: inequality is not your fault simply because you were born female. And it damn sure isn’t mine or any other woman’s fault so I won’t accept that as an explanation.

“Perhaps an even more important reason for women’s lower pay is the choices women make in their personal lives, such as having children.”

Last time I checked, when a husband and wife decide to have children it is a mutual decision. It is not solely a woman’s choice to have a child, it takes another partner as well. That’s what we call biology Ms. Schlafy, try to keep up.

What is great about Schlafly’s piece, is that it inspired 12 year old Madison Kimrey to write her a letter. Kimrey gracefully schools Phyllis on why her efforts are detrimental to female youth, by using an analogy that all women can relate to…finding the perfect bra.

“Equality doesn’t mean women will all make the same choice. It means women will be treated the same no matter what choices they make. This brings us to the idea you have that women shouldn’t have equal pay because it will make it more difficult for them to find husbands. What you’re doing is attempting to limit my choices, and I don’t appreciate that. Let’s get one thing straight here. When I’m thinking about what kind of career I want to have, it’s a lot like shopping for a bra. I want to find something that fits me and appeals to me, and I’m not thinking about pleasing a man.”

Amen sister, amen. This letter gives me so much hope for the future of feminism because when I was 12, I had no idea what a feminist even was. Props to Madison Kimrey for not letting her age stop her from speaking the truth! What do you guys think of Madison’s letter and Phyllis Schlafly’s op-ed piece?