Pick one: Sisterhood is Powerful and Sisterhood is Forever
Review by Serene Williams

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Morgan’s later anthology, Sisterhood is Forever (2003), surveys feminism in a verydifferent era. Women today not only have the internet to help them find like-minded activists, but there are also active chapters of feminist groups such as NOW and Feminist Majority in nearly every major U.S. city. It would seem in our increasingly interconnected world, a follow-up anthology to Sisterhood is Powerful is irrelevant. However, Sisterhood is Forever stands up to the most pointed criticism: not only is Morgan's message still relevant, her recent anthology is arguably a more important feminist book than Sisterhood is Powerful. So why has the book received such a lackluster reception compared to Sisterhood is Powerful? Possibly because the original was written during a time of excitement about promise of feminism, and feminist activism was energized by a political and cultural climate fiercely opposed to its aims. Sisterhood is Forever, on the other hand, was published at a time when many women, especially young women, feel the feminist fight was won by their mothers and an ongoing feminist struggle is no longer necessary. Published at a time when many younger women proudly announce, "I’m not a feminist, but I support equal rights for women," Sisterhood is Forever was lost in a chorus of many other books targeted to women, most of which were not feminist. In addition, while the internet has done wonders in helping feminists create support networks, it has also diminished the demand for printed publications which aim to connect feminists.

Like Morgan's earlier anthology, Sisterhood is Forever includes articles by a veritable who’s who of leaders of the present day women’s movement, including Eve Ensler on the theatre, the Guerrilla Girls on women in art, Catherine A. Mackinnon on the law, Helen Zia on Asian feminists, Andrea Dworkin on violence against women, Karla Jay, a second wave member of the "lavender menace" on lesbian feminism, feminist internet pioneer Amy Richards of feminist.com’s "Ask Amy" column, the women behind Our Bodies, Our Selves, and Anita Hill on sexual harassment. The prominence of these women and the brilliance of their words makes this book a must read for any feminist, and anyone interested in learning about today’s feminism.

Without question, the writers in this anthology are the absolute experts in their field. One of the most persuasive essays is written former Congresswoman Pat Schroeder’s article, "Running for Our Lives: Electoral Politics." Her essay, which chronicles her struggle and ultimate triumph in her campaigns for congress, begins with this provocative sentence. "When are you running for public office? I’m serious" A few sentences later, her brilliance continues, when she writes, "You can’t wring your hands and roll up your shirtsleeves at the same time. Pick one." These are passionate words from a woman who knows her field well. For anyone interested in politics, her article could change their life.

While all the essays in Sisterhood is Forever are interesting to read, the anthology closes with two especially captivating essays written by Robin Morgan herself. The first, "To Vintage Feminists" is written to Morgan’s fellow second wavers who paved the way for the modern women’s movement. While Morgan was one of the most visible leaders of this movement, she pays homage to her fellow sisters in recognizing both the obstacles they faced and their many accomplishments. As a third wave feminist, I found her article most interesting in its discussion of the advantages of being a "vintage feminist." She quotes Ursula K. LeGuin in saying, "Old women are different from everybody else, they say what they think." She makes me look forward to my "vintage" years when my inhibitions will be more stripped away.

For her final piece, Morgan addresses an article "To Younger Women." She makes the compelling statement in this piece, "…please don’t put us on a pedestal, since then you can’t look us in the eye." Much has been written about the schism between second and third wave feminists, yet little has been done to solve it. Both generations of feminists would benefit from reflecting on Morgan’s point of view.

Both anthologies include must read articles for women about motherhood and parenting. The beloved essay "The Politics of Housework" by Pat Mainardi is included in Sisterhood is Powerful. In this piece, Mainardi includes a section on how to encourage participatory democracy at home, and includes the very memorable lines, "He is feeling it more than you. He’s losing some leisure and you’re gaining it. The measure of your oppression is his resistance." These words gave credence to women feeling overburdened with domestic responsibilities at home.

In Sisterhood is Forever, Susanne Braun Levine, the former editor in chief of Ms. Magazine, includes an essay about feminist parenting, entitled, "Parenting: A New Social Contract." Levine makes a number of arguments about why and how parenting is not supported in our society. Most compelling is her argument that parenting should be considered a public good. She points out that parents help foster our society and should be respected and supported in doing so. It is hard to disagree with her pragmatic logic.

Also interesting to parents is the article, "Just a Housewife?!" by Helen Drusine. While much has been written about this topic, what makes Drusine's entry especially intriguing is her argument that the low social status of housewives has been perpetuated by women themselves. She writes, "That myth of 'housewife worthlessness' gets internalized by a lot of women -- though probably less so now, after more than four decades of the contemporary Women’s Movement raising these issues. For me it was a constant conflict. I thought I had to prove (more to myself than those around me) that I was doing something 'meaningful'." Nearly any parent who has cut back on paid work to prioritize caregiving can sympathize with these words. While it is rewarding to focus on the needs of your child or significant other full time, it can also give you a feeling of worthlessness that is hard to shake. It certainly does not help when women do not support each other in this work, and as Drusine argues, it puts a burden not only on the women themselves, but upon their children and our future. It is not often a general feminist anthology includes articles about full time hands on parenting; Levine's and Drusine's are excellent and ought to be widely read.

Despite the quality and intelligence of its many articles, Sisterhood is Forever has yet to receive the attention it deserves. While shopping at my local bookstore recently, I was disappointed to discover several copies of Sisterhood is Forever on the clearance rack, priced for quick sale. What a shame! With Sisterhood is Powerful out of print, we've lost part of the legacy of the women’s liberation movement. It would be doubly unfortunate if Sisterhood is Forever meets the same fate. If you haven't read it, find the time. Do not let the amazing words and dreams of our fellow feminists die out. We must continue to show the world that we are not content to live in the age of "post-feminism," and that feminism has a future.

mmo : december 2005

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