Public Employee Press

Media Beat
Book Review
Women’s movement issues are still important today

Despite the gains the women’s movement made in the 1960s and ’70s, feminism started to get a bad rap during the Reagan “revolution” and has still not returned to its former prominence. Author Ellen Bravo has joined the battle with a new book, “Taking on the Big Boys,” which explains why feminist priorities are good for women, families, unions and business.

Bravo uses an engaging, easy-to-read style and presents issues through the real-life experiences of working women who are dealing with problems such as sexual harassment, unequal pay and treatment and balancing work, educational and family needs.

In these chapters, DC 37 women will recognize themselves, their union and Executive Director Lillian Roberts, one of today’s prominent advocates of affordable, accessible day care.

Bravo identifies the “big boys” of her title as certain male business leaders who are threatened by even the limited progress women have made as their pay has grown from 59 cents for every dollar men make to the current 77 cents. Keeping gender inequality alive is a way to profit from keeping down the wages and benefits of working women.

Bravo’s approach to women’s issues was shown on a button she wore that said, “My consciousness is fine. It’s my pay that needs raising.” She points out that there is still a tremendous need for action, because in addition to earning less, most women remain locked in what amounts to a female job ghetto, doing most of the work at home and largely responsible for child care.

Bravo’s book, which is available in the DC 37 library in Room 211, provides insight, strategies for activism, and convincing arguments for the need to press the feminist agenda and make “equal opportunity” a reality in the daily lives of working women.

— Jane LaTour