I’ve said this before — I have a problem with some feminists.  I would expect the feminist-sisterhood to be supportive of women — no matter what career choice we make (or don’t make.) According to many “feminists,” if you are taking care of your children, or planting a garden, you are not an example of womanhood.

One of the founders of the National Organization for Women (NOW),  Sonia Pressman Fuentes,  boldly condemned Laura Bush for receiving an award from the Sewall-Belmont House Museum for her accomplishments in the advancement of women.

Sonia Pressman Fuentes

Poo-poo, says Sonia and twenty-one other former board members of the museum, who wrote letters in protest. She told the interviewer from the Washington Examiner, “When I read that the award was going to be given to Laura Bush, I felt as if I’d had a sudden onset of Alzheimer’s.” She went on to complain that Laura Bush never did anything for women to deserve an award.

According to Greta Van Susteren, Laura Bush advanced breast cancer awareness in countries where women were not allowed to get screening. She advocated literacy for women.  I think Sister Sonia has embarrassed herself by showing her disregard for women who do not fit a particular image of womanhood (or she does indeed have some memory lapse; she is 84).

Sonia is a feminist who holds a very narrow view of what constitutes an appropriate womanly contribution. She went on to exclaim that Michelle Obama has disappointed her: “Here you have a woman who was a brilliant attorney,” She’s just published a book about how to garden.” (Washington Examiner)
I think Dennis Prager got it right when he explained the feminist view — “A real woman does what a man does — she gets her accomplishment from what a man does.” (and a prestigious man, not a gardener)I think  be respected for their choices of contribution — be that at work or at home.And that includes Michelle Obama, who chose gardening, among other things.  Here are some photos of her doing those things that Ms. Fuentes frowns upon: shoveling, using a wheel barrow, and planting a garden.  I say, good for her.
Michelle Obama in the White House Garden that she started.
Laura Bush in Islamabad, 2006
Laura Bush and Michelle Obama — Two women not worthy of awards, according to NOW Sonia Fuentes
Mrs. Laura Bush greets a welcoming delegation of women, Wednesday, March 1, 2006, at the dedication of the new U.S. Embassy Building in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Mrs. Laura Bush meets one-on-one with women in the Pink Majlis Monday, Oct. 22, 2007, at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical Center in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Mrs. Laura Bush greets members of the audience members that include representatives from breast cancer organizations, supporters of breast cancer research, breast cancer survivors and local residents