When history looks back at where the GOP turned into the party of stupid, Schafly will stand out as one of the progenitors of all that followed. Her outrageous claims that scared a lot of less than intelligent women (that the ERA would mean only unisex bathrooms where women would be forced to share bathrooms with men and ger raped was credited with helping turn the tide against the ERA, sound familiar with the tempest in a teapot about transgender women and rest rooms?), she basically just made up stuff as it went, fired up a bunch of igorant people including sadly women, and left us with the mess we have today. She the writer of books saying a woman should greet her husband at the door with a martini and nothing else set back women's rights decades. And for all you religious folks out there, who complain you are stereotyped as haters and bigots, you can thank her as well.
The words of Mark Twain come to mind, he said while he never wished anyone would die, there were a lot of obituaries he read with pleasure.......
The words of Mark Twain come to mind, he said while he never wished anyone would die, there were a lot of obituaries he read with pleasure.......
89
Re:
Writing in The New Yorker in 2005, Elizabeth Kolbert said the book [Schlafly's "A Choice not an Echo"] “mixed fact, sensational accusations, commonsensical truths, and elaborate conspiracy theories into a compelling but evidently bogus narrative.”
Sounds like a more recent right-winger with big hair.
And then Mrs. Schlafly was downright mean and bigoted (and completely opposed to equal rights under the law) when it came to gay/lesbian issues: “Nobody’s stopping them from shacking up. The problem is that they are trying to make us respect them, and that’s an interference with what we believe.”
What a small-minded, self-righteous, self-serving and hypocritical woman.
I don't care who Mrs. Schlafly shacked up with either, but I hope this retrograde DAR was sentient enough in the end to behold the nude pix of Melania Trump splashed onto the front pages of the NY Post as the Republicans' candidate for First Lady of the Unites States and the face (and so much else) of the causes that she did so much to champion.
Writing in The New Yorker in 2005, Elizabeth Kolbert said the book [Schlafly's "A Choice not an Echo"] “mixed fact, sensational accusations, commonsensical truths, and elaborate conspiracy theories into a compelling but evidently bogus narrative.”
Sounds like a more recent right-winger with big hair.
And then Mrs. Schlafly was downright mean and bigoted (and completely opposed to equal rights under the law) when it came to gay/lesbian issues: “Nobody’s stopping them from shacking up. The problem is that they are trying to make us respect them, and that’s an interference with what we believe.”
What a small-minded, self-righteous, self-serving and hypocritical woman.
I don't care who Mrs. Schlafly shacked up with either, but I hope this retrograde DAR was sentient enough in the end to behold the nude pix of Melania Trump splashed onto the front pages of the NY Post as the Republicans' candidate for First Lady of the Unites States and the face (and so much else) of the causes that she did so much to champion.
45
RIP Phyllis, you were not an advocate for the poor, minorities , or the sick. Instead you set your sights on destroying others rights and promoting bigotry. Yours was a movement of self serving ignorance which ripples through political discourse to this very day. You wasted your life when you could have spread so much love and help in the world.
I hope god has mercy on you for your misguided principals of hate, evil, and intolerance. May you find peace in heaven that you avoided on this earth.
I hope god has mercy on you for your misguided principals of hate, evil, and intolerance. May you find peace in heaven that you avoided on this earth.
69
The exemplar of right-wing hypocrisy, hate, and lies - and a life and "career" built on spreading hate through lies, lies, and damned lies.
A rightwingnut fanatic and shill for reactionary, regressive ideas that belong in the dustbin of history along with fascism, nazism, and the KKK. Who relentlessly opposed and brazenly slandered the Civil Rights movement, integration, labor rights, gay rights, sex education, AND women's rights - i.e., every effort to expand human rights to all sectors of humanity.
And the utter hypocrisy of campaigning against the ERA, against equal rights for women under the law - all while pursuing her own career devoted to keeping other women in second-class status and "traditional" roles!
As a Catholic as well as a proud progressive, I find it particularly repugnant that anyone could call herself Catholic and espouse an agenda so totally opposed to the words and life of Christ, who preached and practiced love, mercy, and compassion - and who was revolutionary in His time in including women in His movement.
Unfortunately, her vile lies and hypocrisy live on, particularly in the fascist candidate for President and the angry racists he's emboldened. I'm only sorry she didn't live long enough to see our first woman President sworn in.
Lord have mercy on her soul. But I doubt history will be so kind.
A rightwingnut fanatic and shill for reactionary, regressive ideas that belong in the dustbin of history along with fascism, nazism, and the KKK. Who relentlessly opposed and brazenly slandered the Civil Rights movement, integration, labor rights, gay rights, sex education, AND women's rights - i.e., every effort to expand human rights to all sectors of humanity.
And the utter hypocrisy of campaigning against the ERA, against equal rights for women under the law - all while pursuing her own career devoted to keeping other women in second-class status and "traditional" roles!
As a Catholic as well as a proud progressive, I find it particularly repugnant that anyone could call herself Catholic and espouse an agenda so totally opposed to the words and life of Christ, who preached and practiced love, mercy, and compassion - and who was revolutionary in His time in including women in His movement.
Unfortunately, her vile lies and hypocrisy live on, particularly in the fascist candidate for President and the angry racists he's emboldened. I'm only sorry she didn't live long enough to see our first woman President sworn in.
Lord have mercy on her soul. But I doubt history will be so kind.
60
I think her point was that you can't have it all; motherhood, career, social life, and etc. Something has got to give!!! Feminism says you can have it all and nothing/no one will suffer for it. The research is clear that this is not true. Read the last paragraph of the article; "Feminism has changed the way women think, the way men think, the trouble is it hasn't changed the attitudes of babies at all."
Babies want their mothers; it's a fact.
Babies want their mothers; it's a fact.
8
Time to make memorial donations in her name to Planned Parenthood, NARAL, and the Democrat Party.
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/
http://www.naral.org/
http://www.dscc.org/
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/
http://www.naral.org/
http://www.dscc.org/
58
Bingo !
22
And the Human Rights Campaign
25
Sorry, but hers was not a life well lived. Setting back the cause of human rights and dignity? What a sad legacy.
67
History will not treat her kindly, if she is remembered at all.
41
I felt a twinge of guilt when I heard the news of Schafly's death because the first thing thought that popped into my head was "Only the good die young," but it didn't last long. She set women's rights back and seemed to relish what she had done. She was a close-minded, insensitive person.
46
John Schlafly's outing was not done to embarrass his Mother. It was done out of disgust for his cowardly hypocrisy while his Mother continued to seriously damage the LGBT community. Why should we respect someone like that.
41
Based Housewife, Queen Provocatrix, early champion of sneakily virtuous trolling. The latent anger throughout the comment section here is a fitting testament to her effectiveness.
In retrospect, it seems like she was standing up for an otherwise voiceless portion of our culture, happy women in traditional families.
In retrospect, it seems like she was standing up for an otherwise voiceless portion of our culture, happy women in traditional families.
6
That makes no sense--why would a happy woman in a traditional family need to oppose what any other woman does or does not do. Why would a happy woman in a traditional family need a voice of prejudice, hate and discrimination to speak for her. Seems like a happy woman in a traditional family would not need or even want to be associated with that type of hate and ugliness.
42
Happy women don't feel the need to demonize other women or limit their opportunities.
48
Ms. Schlafly was bright, articulate, sassy but always courteous, a role model for all. The feminists hated her because she was smarter and prettier than they all were. She was right too and knew the law inside and out. They hated that she wore dresses and not those ugly frumpy pant suits. She was a champion debater who set the bar high indeed. And she liked Mr. Trump. That is quite an important endorsement from the founding mother of conservatism. RIP
8
Maybe many women -- not just those scary "feminists" -- found her tolerance of domestic violence and dismissal of the need for divorced fathers to provide child support just a tad off-putting. Or perhaps people saw through the hypocrisy of a woman who organized her entire political schtick around women being full time wives and mothers while getting a law degree and becoming a political activist with the help of her husband's wealth. It could be that others were put off by her screeds against gay people and AIDs research/prevention. Even conservative websites are being fairly restrained in their tributes to Schlafly; even they don't want to be closely associated with her in 2016.
39
This is ridiculous. I love wearing dresses, raised chldren worked as a show room model yet embrace women's rights, equal pay, and women's choice. She was outdated wanting to go back to 100 years when women had no rights, could not vote etc. She never had to work a day in her life and never had to live in poverty. And that is ok that is her choice. She just pushed her own view and would like to force women to live according to her choice. She can wear whatever she wants but please don't say women were jealous of her, that is laughable.
57
"The feminists hated her because she was smarter and prettier than they all were. . . . They hated that she wore dresses and not those ugly frumpy pant suits. "
So women who believe they should have equal rights with men are just bitter because they are ugly, dumb frumps. This mindless smear goes back more than 100 years to women's battle for suffrage and beyond.
It's exactly the same as saying that African-American civil rights campaigners were just too dumb to recognize how good they had it in the old days, and/or just jealous because they were too black to "pass".
Well, not precisely the same. There's one difference: The latter comment would never be published in the NYT.
So women who believe they should have equal rights with men are just bitter because they are ugly, dumb frumps. This mindless smear goes back more than 100 years to women's battle for suffrage and beyond.
It's exactly the same as saying that African-American civil rights campaigners were just too dumb to recognize how good they had it in the old days, and/or just jealous because they were too black to "pass".
Well, not precisely the same. There's one difference: The latter comment would never be published in the NYT.
31
“In March of this year, she endorsed Donald J. Trump for president, saying he had ‘the courage and the energy” to do “what the grass-roots want him to do.’” Evidently, her political predisposition was anti-establishmental. The establishment does not comport with the fundamental ideas such as people’s sovereignty of American Revolution. D.J.T.’s anti-establishment policy and plan are bucking such a trend for the first time in a long time. The establishment’s self-regard claims of sole ownership of the country by capital prove false to the democratic tradition.
“[S]he joined the right-wing crusade against international Communism.” Anti-communism in those days was as popular as anti-establishment today; it turns out that threats from afar are less dangerous from within, a country can easily be defeated by patronizing political elite who scheme for power in the name of democracy and liberty. The more they shore up capital’s hegemony as defense, the faster grass-roots lose their rights. Communism will not be a problem if people live happily.
Both Conservatism and Liberalism are tools for capital to rule over the working class. That she embraced the former as a way of making politics portends no value-judgmental meaning at all. To say “every idea she ever had was scatterbrained, dangerous and hateful” just does not ring the bell with the hoi polloi. The issue is not embracing the former or the latter; it is whether one has a cast of thoughts of anti-establishment.
“[S]he joined the right-wing crusade against international Communism.” Anti-communism in those days was as popular as anti-establishment today; it turns out that threats from afar are less dangerous from within, a country can easily be defeated by patronizing political elite who scheme for power in the name of democracy and liberty. The more they shore up capital’s hegemony as defense, the faster grass-roots lose their rights. Communism will not be a problem if people live happily.
Both Conservatism and Liberalism are tools for capital to rule over the working class. That she embraced the former as a way of making politics portends no value-judgmental meaning at all. To say “every idea she ever had was scatterbrained, dangerous and hateful” just does not ring the bell with the hoi polloi. The issue is not embracing the former or the latter; it is whether one has a cast of thoughts of anti-establishment.
3
I think there's a case to be made for putting Schlafly on the $20. She certainly left a mark.
4
Maybe a new coin worth 75cents- the amount per dollar Mrs. Schafley championed for women to earn.
102
Max Planck says science advances one funeral at a time -- when prejudices die with their holders.
Hopefully, the same can be said of politics.
Hopefully, the same can be said of politics.
68
People might be interested in the story of why she left Alton IL. I heard this a number of years ago from a woman who lived in her subdivision in Alton and said she had participated in the action. She swore it was true.
The affluent subdivision had a covenant which did not allow businesses to be run out of homes. Women who lived in the subdivision and who were appalled by Phyllis's right-wing activities started staking out the entrance and recording the number of FedEx and UPS trucks that made deliveries to the Schlafly home. They took the matter to the subdivision "powers that be," saying that Phyllis was obviously running some kind of business. They subsequently learned that Phyllis was selling her home and moving across the river to St. Louis.
The affluent subdivision had a covenant which did not allow businesses to be run out of homes. Women who lived in the subdivision and who were appalled by Phyllis's right-wing activities started staking out the entrance and recording the number of FedEx and UPS trucks that made deliveries to the Schlafly home. They took the matter to the subdivision "powers that be," saying that Phyllis was obviously running some kind of business. They subsequently learned that Phyllis was selling her home and moving across the river to St. Louis.
35
What I never understood about her is, that if indeed a woman's place is in the home baking cookies, muffins and such, why she kept showing up on my TV screen
103
Her last act in a life filled with hypocracy was truly a capstone. She supported Trump.
59
Only the good die young. Her campaign against the ERA will never be forgotten or forgiven.
67
When I was studying science I remember my prof asking the rhetorical question
"What happens to people who believed antiquated wrong theories"
Answer They died off.
Hopefully Schlafly's nonsense will die off with her.
"What happens to people who believed antiquated wrong theories"
Answer They died off.
Hopefully Schlafly's nonsense will die off with her.
64
She had a brilliant career standing up for her deeply felt principle that women should not feel compelled to find personal satisfaction in a career, but she seemed always to be a hybrid cross between a salesman and a motivational speaker.
Her broader theme always seemed to be the shallower and more common one of protesting modernity and advocating a return to older cultural norms and values. She did it well, tho, and usually did so for benefit of some of the least remarkable politicians of the age.
Her broader theme always seemed to be the shallower and more common one of protesting modernity and advocating a return to older cultural norms and values. She did it well, tho, and usually did so for benefit of some of the least remarkable politicians of the age.
4
She did it well in the sense that she rallied her base. But for most of us her harsh voice and hate filled rhetoric defined the dead enders of her generation. Everything about her from her voice to her clothes to her hairdo said ancient history.
50
She inspired many of us in the Reagan Renaissance with her lucid objections to central planning and federal overreach in all areas of life. Her concerns were borne out. I hope her idealism continues.
6
Interesting. You think having the government dictate your health care choices or who you can and can't marry isn't overreach?
83
Government overreach - unless we are talking about annual FEMA handouts to red states, abortion, same-sex marriage, etc.
Classic Schlafly hypocrisy.
Classic Schlafly hypocrisy.
58
L.K wrote "She inspired many of us in the Reagan Renaissance . . . ."
Presumably, what you meant was the "Reagan Recrudescence."
Presumably, what you meant was the "Reagan Recrudescence."
17
This is the nub of her supposedly moral positions, speaking of her son's sexual preference: "In 2010, she said of gay couples: 'Nobody’s stopping them from shacking up. The problem is that they are trying to make us respect them, and that’s an interference with what we believe.'" Disrespect of people who are different from her and intolerance of their choices, as if her beliefs should dictate how others should live.
Conservatives will have their moments of glory, but in the long run they will always be brushed aside by change and progress. Schlafly was an irrelevant anachronism long before she died and her self-centered politics are destined for the dustbin of history.
Conservatives will have their moments of glory, but in the long run they will always be brushed aside by change and progress. Schlafly was an irrelevant anachronism long before she died and her self-centered politics are destined for the dustbin of history.
100
Good quote - though I would read it slightly differently. She is actually claiming not to be interested in stop gay couples from living as "they" would like to live. She is simply defended what she sees as her right to spout bile and disrespect at them, because she feels a call for respect somehow violates her 'beliefs.' And there you have the entire shoddy basis for the past few decades of opposition to equal rights and equal protection under the law for non-heterosexuals - a completely illogical confusion of beliefs and actions, in which somehow whatever runs through your head (however bigoted) must be acted upon and any suggestion that you act respectfully and fairly despite your beliefs is too much of a challenge to bear. Imagine a world in which this were really true in all areas of life and it quickly reveals itself as the ridiculous drivel that it is. For instance, I believe the claim that eating too much red meat is dangerous to your health. Should i feel compelled to run around angrily stating this belief at everyone I see in every restaurant enjoying a steak or a burger - and feel that my belief is fundamentally threatened if someone turns around and says otherwise? No, I restrain myself and mention it politely in passing to those i care about out of basic human decency - and I welcome anyone with evidence contrary to my beliefs to bring it to my intention in case I might be wrong.
21
Eric- the difference is some people will try to legislate your life, not just enjoy differences of opinions, which is totally legit.
Mrs. S wanted to define what women could be and how much they could earn, by using the leverage of the legislature to enforce her particular take on things.
18
She may have we a couple battles but she lost the war.
In the short term reactionary forces can always count on the unholy trinity of powerful interests who want the status quo, ignorant people who are afraid of change, and the charismatic attention-starved "leaders" who champion whatever reactionary cause. Eventually people get used to change and move on, and the unholy trinity goes on to find new things to feed off of.
Women are far better off now than they did 50 years ago. And Mrs Schalfly would (will?) probably turn in her grave upon Hillary Clinton being elected President of the United States.
Progress and Justice happens in spite of petty reactionaries like her. Progress happens in the long term.
In the short term reactionary forces can always count on the unholy trinity of powerful interests who want the status quo, ignorant people who are afraid of change, and the charismatic attention-starved "leaders" who champion whatever reactionary cause. Eventually people get used to change and move on, and the unholy trinity goes on to find new things to feed off of.
Women are far better off now than they did 50 years ago. And Mrs Schalfly would (will?) probably turn in her grave upon Hillary Clinton being elected President of the United States.
Progress and Justice happens in spite of petty reactionaries like her. Progress happens in the long term.
44
As a young woman in college in the late 70s, I saw Phyllis Schlafly as the leader of the self-demeaning, anti-feminist backlash of the times. Indeed, I was correct. She caused great harm to the long and ongoing fight for full human rights for women. I was always sad and puzzled that she, as a woman, devoted her life to fighting against full personhood for women. That said, I wish her family and friends peace.
58
I'm afraid she failed.
US women can not be discriminated on the labor market, even when they apply for the worst and most painful jobs on earth.
And no woman can be ridiculed on TV shows, despised by the majority, or rejected from the labor market when they try to resume after a break, except housewives.
US women can not be discriminated on the labor market, even when they apply for the worst and most painful jobs on earth.
And no woman can be ridiculed on TV shows, despised by the majority, or rejected from the labor market when they try to resume after a break, except housewives.
7
She was a conservative woman that worked to advance her vision of society. It's a position no different or less valid than those of her opponents.
Those calling her a hypocrite for speaking her mind and pushing her agenda are missing the point.
Those calling her a hypocrite for speaking her mind and pushing her agenda are missing the point.
8
No, treating people like second class citizens isn't a valid position, it is morally, ethically and legally wrong.
64
Especially when she was advocating that a class she herself belonged to should be treated as second-class citizens, but not her
43
She was a hypocrite because she made a career of telling women they shouldn't have careers, and promoted housewifery and motherhood as the highest callings for women while she paid other people to perform those chores for her.
25
Historic figures have fallen into 2 categories, the first suggests and tries to instruct us on principles that we thought were right but have been misguided and tyrannical at their most basic level. These people believe in authentic Freedom from subordination. Then there are those who have demanded, in no uncertain terms that the other sides' values are in the gutter and unwholesome by demonizing their values. The black and white footage from the racial struggle shows us what people, even leaders and law enforcement are capable of when they don't have the interests of other people in mind as much as they just want to rule. The more you investigate history the more you find the fight between Power and Wisdom has been dominated by Power.
11
She goes to her grave having achieved nothing of value except notoriety. I would rather not have the notoriety if I was noted for being an anchor on civilization's progress.
86
By 'progress' do you mean over 40% of children being born out of wedlock and over 50% of kids living in single parent homes?
How about the 4.5 million latchkey kids? Do you think 9 year-olds should be caring for themselves?
Doesn't sound like progress.
How about the 4.5 million latchkey kids? Do you think 9 year-olds should be caring for themselves?
Doesn't sound like progress.
8
Ironically, contrary to what you write as her defense, she was opposed to abortion, which I oppose also. Except in my case, unlike her Republican values, and probably yours, I expect USA TAXES and society to pay for the support and survival of every one of those children not aborted, from unwed mothers, and those living latchkey. Being anti-abortion sounds virtuous; it isn't except for how it sounds. It only perpetuates living suffering. Being pro-life means it costs you and society something more than virtuous rhetoric. Ultimately Schafly was not true to her beliefs but to Republican values of a Darwinian sort!
12
Who says the mother of a child has to be wedded to the father? Who says kids can't thrive in a single-parent home?
Show us the evidence that there are 4.5 million "latchkey" children (in the U.S.?) -- and tell us how many are 9 years old.
Show us the evidence that there are 4.5 million "latchkey" children (in the U.S.?) -- and tell us how many are 9 years old.
16
In many ways, Schlafly and Steinheim are kindred spirits. They took a political and cultural hot-button, ran them to their absurd conclusion in opposite directions, and made careers out of pushing obnoxious positions reasonable only to their most ardent supporters.
If you are going to give her due upon her death, I would celebrate Mrs. Schlafly's one big insight (again shared by Ms. Steinheim):
Moderation doesn't sell or get you on the cover of Time magazine.
If you are going to give her due upon her death, I would celebrate Mrs. Schlafly's one big insight (again shared by Ms. Steinheim):
Moderation doesn't sell or get you on the cover of Time magazine.
14
Steinheim?
17
I find it a little surprising to have a comment section following an obituary. That said, I am reminded of the saying that everything we do is motivated by love or by fear. The recently canonized Mother Teresa was motivated by love. Ms Schlafly certainly by fear.
40
I also find it unusual to have a comment section after an obituary. Please liberals please just try to hold your tongues for once!
2
To paraphrase Marc Antony, "I come to bury Phyllis Schlafly, not to praise her." Consider what will likely stand as Ms. [sic] Schlafly's enduring legacy: She will be remembered for having driven tens of thousands of American women to face (and embrace) the need to develop greater political awareness, with an urgency that no feminist spokesperson could have hoped to match.
She succeeded in galvanizing significant opposition to her regressive, back-to-the-Stone-Age platform of socio-political Hate thinly disguised as self-righteous activism and augmented by "facts and figures" cherry-picked and twisted to support it. Her passing, like that of Antonin Scalia, brings a bit more light into a world still largely overcast, caught in shadow cast by the stubborn, self-serving ignorance and hate they both vigorously championed throughout their lives in the public eye.
She succeeded in galvanizing significant opposition to her regressive, back-to-the-Stone-Age platform of socio-political Hate thinly disguised as self-righteous activism and augmented by "facts and figures" cherry-picked and twisted to support it. Her passing, like that of Antonin Scalia, brings a bit more light into a world still largely overcast, caught in shadow cast by the stubborn, self-serving ignorance and hate they both vigorously championed throughout their lives in the public eye.
96
To me, she defined the hypocrisy of the conservative movement, something that has not changed in the past four decades.
I was a pre-teen when Phyllis Scholarly started her campaign against the ERA. All I could think of was how hypocritical it was for her to be gallivanting around the country telling other women that they should stay home and raise their kids.
You'll notice that the Trump campaign states that Melania is not on the campaign trail because she's home taking care of her one child, while no one bats an eyelash about how Ivanka is out and about despite having three young children. Hypocrisy on top of hypocrisy.
I was a pre-teen when Phyllis Scholarly started her campaign against the ERA. All I could think of was how hypocritical it was for her to be gallivanting around the country telling other women that they should stay home and raise their kids.
You'll notice that the Trump campaign states that Melania is not on the campaign trail because she's home taking care of her one child, while no one bats an eyelash about how Ivanka is out and about despite having three young children. Hypocrisy on top of hypocrisy.
93
I thought she was a fine lady and I supported many of her ideas. She was against communism and abortion and did not hesitate to speak out against these evils. May she rest in peace.
6
Anyone who opposes sex education doesn't really oppose abortion.
59
I don't know if this is true of Schlafly (would love to know), but these upper crust anti-choicers often have an abortion or two hidden away in their family circle.
They see no hypocrisy in this; they will tell you that their own relatives' need for an abortion is somehow "different", more justified than ordinary women's.
They see no hypocrisy in this; they will tell you that their own relatives' need for an abortion is somehow "different", more justified than ordinary women's.
35
She spoke out against abortion, but not the pregnant women the US has killed in its trumped-up wars.
Address that double standard, since Schlafly cannot any more, and perhaps arguments against abortion will be taken seriously.
Address that double standard, since Schlafly cannot any more, and perhaps arguments against abortion will be taken seriously.
17
Is it no longer possible for ideological disagreement without vicious rude, personal attacks? Is this where we truly are today?
On the one hand, we have an article about "Diversity Officers" at our universities calling out people for using the term "you guys" as sexist, and then we have these appalling comments on the death of an elderly woman and that's okay?
She was a lovely, highly intelligent, high energy woman who truly believed what she preached. Agree with it or not - it's each person's privilege, but how appalling to right rude comments under a person's obituary.
On the one hand, we have an article about "Diversity Officers" at our universities calling out people for using the term "you guys" as sexist, and then we have these appalling comments on the death of an elderly woman and that's okay?
She was a lovely, highly intelligent, high energy woman who truly believed what she preached. Agree with it or not - it's each person's privilege, but how appalling to right rude comments under a person's obituary.
14
I don't care how old she was, she was a mean spirited hypocrite who did a lot of damage. Dying doesn't diminish the harm she did.
48
Totally disagree. This woman is merely reaping what she assiduously sowed throughout a very long life.
40
I suppose, if you were alive in the times of the decline of the Roman Empire, you would have responded to Caligula being killed by Casius Chaerea by saying "He was a highly intelligent and powerful ruler who truly believed in what he did. Agree with it or not, it was his privilege and we should not speak ill of the dead." Nevermind that the law, under Caligula, became an instrument of mass torture - one mustn't be rude!
You can claim that that is an extreme comparison if you like, but if we follow your line of thought to it's logical conclusion, that's where we end up - defending the indefensible by maintaining "respectful silence." At what point do you decide to speak up and call a spade a spade, and criticize the legacy of those who, in their lifetimes, put themselves out into the public sphere in such a prominent manner to detrimental effect? I'm sorry, but as a historian, i can not in death excuse people from the consequences of their actions in life. Our actions live on in the world after our deaths, some more than others; and when the legacy is morally questionable, it should and ought to be called out.
You can claim that that is an extreme comparison if you like, but if we follow your line of thought to it's logical conclusion, that's where we end up - defending the indefensible by maintaining "respectful silence." At what point do you decide to speak up and call a spade a spade, and criticize the legacy of those who, in their lifetimes, put themselves out into the public sphere in such a prominent manner to detrimental effect? I'm sorry, but as a historian, i can not in death excuse people from the consequences of their actions in life. Our actions live on in the world after our deaths, some more than others; and when the legacy is morally questionable, it should and ought to be called out.
29
Believe it or not, while I never agreed with Phyliss Schlafly on anything, I admired her. She was a true feminist even though she said she didn't believe in feminism. She had it all. She married a rich husband, kept a nice home, raised six children, got a Masters degree and later a law degree and fought passionately for what she believed in. She was also slender and elegant. She was everything I still strive to be. Except, of course, I would be using my talents to support the ERA (and gay rights, and Hilary, and pretty much everything she hated!) I'll bet she could cook too.
12
What you're talking about has NOTHING to do with "true feminism".
I think my head will explode if I read another commenter claiming that Schlafly was a feminist.
I think my head will explode if I read another commenter claiming that Schlafly was a feminist.
36
Over the past few months, I read some articles in Politico and from other sources about the problem Hillary Clinton has with young women. Young feminists were trending toward Bernice Sanders and not Hillary. This would have been unthinkable in the 1970s, when the feminists of that era would have rallied behind a female Democratic presidential candidate in order to advance the sisterhood.
Schlafly has come and gone, and the popularity of her traditional ideas about the role of women in society is fading. But I think you can also say the same thing about the 1970s feminism of Gloria Steinem. Both Schlafly and Steinem tried to force an uncompromising orthodoxy on their followers. You are with us or against us. No independent thinking or nuance will be tolerated.
Nice to see that the young women today no longer allow themselves to be led by the nose, by anyone.
Schlafly has come and gone, and the popularity of her traditional ideas about the role of women in society is fading. But I think you can also say the same thing about the 1970s feminism of Gloria Steinem. Both Schlafly and Steinem tried to force an uncompromising orthodoxy on their followers. You are with us or against us. No independent thinking or nuance will be tolerated.
Nice to see that the young women today no longer allow themselves to be led by the nose, by anyone.
4
I see the young women you're talking about being led around by nose, Dave. By Sanders.
11
Rea Tarr - Seriously? How on earth is Sanders leading anyone by the nose?
9
To Rea Tarr: So are you saying that young women who supported Sanders are gullible? Or, are you angry with them for daring to defy old school feminist orthodoxy and betraying the sisterhood? Do they have a right to think for for themselves, or must they fall in line?
5
I was revulsed by Phyllis Schlafly as a young 20-year-old, and still am.
Bothers me greatly this woman's life is being celebrated. She did nothing positive for anyone but bigots.
Is that where America is now? Celebrating bigotry?
Bothers me greatly this woman's life is being celebrated. She did nothing positive for anyone but bigots.
Is that where America is now? Celebrating bigotry?
116
I figure it's good to know the enemy and keep them close.
13
When I heard this woman deride the African proverb "It takes a village" and scoffed at a caller by asking the caller if they had ever been to Africa? That was all I needed hear.
34
Cannot think of a worse role model for my daughters and other young women. She had to be a self-loathing female. A smart one, but one who is ashamed of her God-given gender. That's all I can theorize.
96
Ms. Schlafly wasn't my cup of tea either. But it shows the depth of the nastiness of the NY Times that it cannot write a straight obituary that pays this woman of strong and heartfelt beliefs -- beliefs shared by millions of American women -- her due. Not to mention the straight up hate of some of these commenters. People of all opinions could stand to learn just a modicum of graciousness, particularly upon someone's death.
15
It's not a nasty piece--it merely describes the reasons--whether you like her beliefs and actions or not--why Schlafly became so influential and famous. She was a very controversial woman, as this story points out.
30
Millions of Americans are bigots but that doesn't mean I have to respect it or pay homage to it.
If she didn't want to be known for hatred, dishonesty and inequality, she should have devoted her life to something else.
If she didn't want to be known for hatred, dishonesty and inequality, she should have devoted her life to something else.
39
This is not the first huffy scolding about graciousness I've read upon her passing today and it's unlikely to be the last.
But the notion that funeral home manners are required in an internet comments section about the death of an admired/reviled political figure who herself constantly sought the attention of others is laughably cloying nonsense.
So let it rip.
I feel certain she'd love the opprobrium, just as she did in life.
But the notion that funeral home manners are required in an internet comments section about the death of an admired/reviled political figure who herself constantly sought the attention of others is laughably cloying nonsense.
So let it rip.
I feel certain she'd love the opprobrium, just as she did in life.
23
I live in Alton, Illinois, Mrs. Schlafly's home for almost fifty years. Many of us remember her for her staunch opposition to racial integration, calling it "Communistic," in the 1940s and 1950s. It is not a fond memory. The attitudes she expressed, and endorsed, tore apart organizations like the YWCA, and needlessly kept the American dream away from a fifth of Alton's residents. I have never rejoiced at anyone's death, and I do not do so now. I wish only the fullness of her bile had been exposed nationally long ago.
157
We share the same age grouping, didn't share any her views when she became a news story, and don't now. ERA should be ratified without her views, at least it is worth a shot.
21
I'm so sorry for you and all the other citizens who were unlawfully and immorally denied equal rights while she was flouncing around as the Great Know-It-All Republican.
8
Belying her opposition to the women's movement, she proved women could fight as dirty as any male politician, and are not only capable of engaging in no holds-barred battle, but of leading the forces for repression.
34
Every progressive step met with the sky is falling rhetoric, perhaps now we will have a little less of it.
30
Only once did I hear the lady speak at length and I was a believer. Powerfully principled, doggedly charged ahead with facts and figures in support of her convictions. I applaud the Lady who gave it her Absolute All. Back to my 'only once' with Mrs. Schlafly, the lady at the time was a very senior person---older than myself nearing 80. What most impressed me was the keenness of her mind and the vigor with which she delivered her message augmented with facts and figures like a lawyer in her prime winning the case at hand. Mother Teresa isn't the only great woman of our time to be honored for her mission on this earth. No, Rome won't canonize Phyllis Schlafly any time soon but there are many of us---perennials & millennials--who thank God she walked this earth and lit a few fires.
8
She seems to have missed the facts and figures when it comes to sex education.
47
Thank you for your kind words.
3
I've always wondered about her oldest son, John.
He was outed nearly 25 years ago as a gay man. Yet he continued working for his mom, espousing all of her same anti-gay views.
Some accounts have him living with her his entire life.
Must be a biopic there, somewhere.
He was outed nearly 25 years ago as a gay man. Yet he continued working for his mom, espousing all of her same anti-gay views.
Some accounts have him living with her his entire life.
Must be a biopic there, somewhere.
53
Victims lives are often filled with self-loathing and complete lack of self-esteem!
Its very sad for him and he is to be pitied!
Its very sad for him and he is to be pitied!
30
I don't think hypocrisy entails a gender bias.
11
I think it is perfectly alright for us to simultaneously feel sorry for her son for having endured her mountains of fact-free homophobic bile, while also criticizing him for his actions in failing to take a principled stand against them. It's a good mix of empathy and objectivity.
In any event ... a good bio-pic? Very possibly!
In any event ... a good bio-pic? Very possibly!
9
I see that Gretchen Carlson has won a twenty million dollar settlement from Fox and Ailes. Wasn't it Phyllis Schafly who said, "Non-criminal sexual harassment on the job is not a problem for the virtuous woman except in the rarest of cases.
Hmmm.
Hmmm.
98
Tragically, Schlafly embodies the classic conservative American dream. To climb the ladder of high achievement, and then slam the door behind you.
It's taken the women's rights movement decade to unravel the damage done by this highly influential grassroots thinker, but they are now closer than ever.
It's taken the women's rights movement decade to unravel the damage done by this highly influential grassroots thinker, but they are now closer than ever.
93
Phillis Schlafley did at least one good thing in her life. She caused me to become a feminist and started my long practice of giving money to NOW, and the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and other organizations fighting for our civil rights.
I cannot believe I'm alone when I say she awakened a sleeping giant - men who believe women get a raw deal at our hands, and do our best to alleviate the situation. I'm getting ready to vote for our first female President, and stand, waving goodbye to one of the last vestiges of a hateful, long-ago era.
I cannot believe I'm alone when I say she awakened a sleeping giant - men who believe women get a raw deal at our hands, and do our best to alleviate the situation. I'm getting ready to vote for our first female President, and stand, waving goodbye to one of the last vestiges of a hateful, long-ago era.
286
One of the first in a long line of paid Republican concern trolls, whose main aim was to exploit divisions in our society and to make sure that uniting to find common sense and acceptable solutions would never be possible.
If only Dante were alive today. He would find a special circle for her.
If only Dante were alive today. He would find a special circle for her.
133
The circle of the self-satisfied and self-righteous.
I never opposed Phyllis's right to have 7 children, cherish uber-conservative beliefs and broadcast them.
It was her doggedly determined work against a woman's right to choose in every aspect of her life that infuriated me. Campaigning against the Equal Rights Amendment because it would give women equal rights really hurt women at a time when we desperately needed a boost.
Lead the life you want to lead. Believe that's the life God wants you to lead. But don't try to mandate, with the force of law, that I have to abide by strictures you believe are mandated by God. That violates separation of church and state--and my rights as an American citizen.
I never opposed Phyllis's right to have 7 children, cherish uber-conservative beliefs and broadcast them.
It was her doggedly determined work against a woman's right to choose in every aspect of her life that infuriated me. Campaigning against the Equal Rights Amendment because it would give women equal rights really hurt women at a time when we desperately needed a boost.
Lead the life you want to lead. Believe that's the life God wants you to lead. But don't try to mandate, with the force of law, that I have to abide by strictures you believe are mandated by God. That violates separation of church and state--and my rights as an American citizen.
89
Did she ever do anything to help humanity? All these conservatives, Scalia, Schafly, etc.,have done much to make the world a worse place and don't seem to have done anything to make the world a better place.
163
No, she worked doggedly against women's rights in every arena.
39
A horrible horrible woman. Interesting that Scalia and now her, two of the most damaging personalities to our Country have died this year, as a woman takes the helm and the republican party implodes. Satisfying. I never believed in God but....
183
Reply to @ Terri USA
I found myself thinking something similar; perhaps attending strict Catholic schools in the 1930's and 1940's had something to do with Schlafly and Scalia's unbending and reactionary conservatism. Neither of them seemed to have absorbed any of the teachings about compassion and mercy often attributed to Catholic thinking.
I found myself thinking something similar; perhaps attending strict Catholic schools in the 1930's and 1940's had something to do with Schlafly and Scalia's unbending and reactionary conservatism. Neither of them seemed to have absorbed any of the teachings about compassion and mercy often attributed to Catholic thinking.
95
I, now in my 82nd year, attended Catholic schools in the 1940's never took away the poisonous beliefs of Schlafly and the rigidity of Scalia's thought. Rather, the nuns who taught me, by their example (with an exception or two) embodied compassion, mercy and kindness. Although I am no longer a Catholic, I am grateful for their teaching and examples, which embody the best of Catholic thinking.
28
Jhc,
It wasn't until the early 1980s that Catholic schools and churches began pushing political agendas (sex education, abortion). It largely coincided with the fusion of church and state by the Reagan administration.
It wasn't until the early 1980s that Catholic schools and churches began pushing political agendas (sex education, abortion). It largely coincided with the fusion of church and state by the Reagan administration.
10
She was proud of setting women's rights back 30+ years; she was a working woman who wanted to make life more difficult for other working women (while demonizing them in the process); she was intolerant in the extreme.
#ByePhyllis
#ByePhyllis
199
Then it was Schlafly, now it's Coulter. Just think of how much further down the rabbit hole the GOP has gone. At least Schlafly carried signs that said, "Please."
83
Phyllis Schlafly spoke for all women who didn't believe in equal rights for themselves (to paraphrase Rose Kennedy).
67
The 60s Again.
In her 1964 book, Phyllis Schlafly contended that Republican presidential nominations were rigged by “secret kingmakers.”
Earlier this year, Ms Schlafly declared that Donald Trump “is the only hope to defeat the kingmakers”
Defeated whenever she ran for office, Ms Schlafly found a way to promote her view of Republicanism outside of the Republican Party, denouncing them as “kingmakers”.
It’s an MO that Sarah Palin picked up on.
In her 1964 book, Phyllis Schlafly contended that Republican presidential nominations were rigged by “secret kingmakers.”
Earlier this year, Ms Schlafly declared that Donald Trump “is the only hope to defeat the kingmakers”
Defeated whenever she ran for office, Ms Schlafly found a way to promote her view of Republicanism outside of the Republican Party, denouncing them as “kingmakers”.
It’s an MO that Sarah Palin picked up on.
63
(With apologies to Christopher Wren) If you wish to see her monument, look at Donald Trump.
122
Shame on this small-minded and selfish human being.
156
I will go to my grave with the mental image of Phyllis Schlafly naked and wrapped in Saran wrap greeting her husband at the door.
All other thoughts about her are far less enticing.
All other thoughts about her are far less enticing.
39
Great Fred.. Now I will have to watch a slasher movie to get that image out of my head... I had forgotten that little piece of information.
7
That was Marabel Morgan, not Phyllis Schlafly, wasn't it?
1
I believe that lovely image was in her book Total Woman, in which she stated that a woman's function in marriage is to Admire, Affirm, and Adore her husband. That's a phrase that always makes me nauseated.
12
Had it not been for the unyielding drive and determined efforts of Schlaffly, the ERA would most likely be in the constitution today. But despite her success, she lived long enough to see some of her greatest fears become written into law: gay marriage, women in combat and single sex bathrooms. So in the end, she failed.
Maybe she should have just stayed home tending to her husband and raising her kids.
Maybe she should have just stayed home tending to her husband and raising her kids.
322
Too bad she didn't live to see a woman become president.
108
Too bad she didn't become our first woman president!
6
Didn't she say a woman president would happen over her dead body?
... too soon?
... too soon?
40
May she enjoy a long, undisturbed, and well-deserved rest.
17
Us too.
72
After yesterday's announcement of Schafly's death, I thought the NY Times wouldn't allow comment. I'm glad they changed their mind. I could go on forever but let me just say that Physllis Schafly has to be the absolute worst person ever to have negatively affected women and women's rights.
110
Phyllis knew which side her bread was buttered on, a classic patriarchal woman.
Her power, her fame and her wealth came from upholding the agenda of males who were patriarchal, hierarchal and misogynistic. The little woman was to stay little, never to be equally included within the Constitution.
If Phyllis had ever made any statement that went opposite of the stated aims of the religious rightists, she would have been kicked out of her safe, rich nest. She would have been poor and ignored, laughed at by the insulated community she chose to support, whose goals were to never include any female fully.
Here is the full statement of the Equal Rights Amendment:
"Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."
That's it. That's what she fought and sneered against all her life, a simple statement of equality under the law of our Constitution.
Why would she care about other women?
She had hers.
That's all she cared about.
Petty. Sneering. Cold. Indifferent.
This world never needed her or her woman-hating Republican Party.
It never needed her, or Reagan, or Falwell, or Scalia or any other male or female who sneered at Constitutional Law and used it as a sledge-hammer to keep any other human being down.
Shame on them all.
I'll miss none of them.
Her power, her fame and her wealth came from upholding the agenda of males who were patriarchal, hierarchal and misogynistic. The little woman was to stay little, never to be equally included within the Constitution.
If Phyllis had ever made any statement that went opposite of the stated aims of the religious rightists, she would have been kicked out of her safe, rich nest. She would have been poor and ignored, laughed at by the insulated community she chose to support, whose goals were to never include any female fully.
Here is the full statement of the Equal Rights Amendment:
"Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."
That's it. That's what she fought and sneered against all her life, a simple statement of equality under the law of our Constitution.
Why would she care about other women?
She had hers.
That's all she cared about.
Petty. Sneering. Cold. Indifferent.
This world never needed her or her woman-hating Republican Party.
It never needed her, or Reagan, or Falwell, or Scalia or any other male or female who sneered at Constitutional Law and used it as a sledge-hammer to keep any other human being down.
Shame on them all.
I'll miss none of them.
142
Bingo! You said what I feel and remember. Thank you.
6
On the wrong side of history to the very end.
Anyone who would throw their own son under a bus certainly has no right to claim the mantel of proper motherhood.
Despicable.
Anyone who would throw their own son under a bus certainly has no right to claim the mantel of proper motherhood.
Despicable.
147
After 92 years, Phyllis Scholarly is finally free of the hate and discrimination she so gleefully spent a lifetime championing. Unfortunately, the rest of us must live in the world she helped build.
154
Although it is wrong to speak ill of the dead, I can't lie--I felt some immense relief that such a long-lasting scourge of women's equality was finally gone. Since I can't come up with a single positive thing to say about her life or her work, I'll just say this: The only way some people can make the world a better place is to leave it entirely.
Thoughts and prayers /s
Thoughts and prayers /s
95
Wealthy women don't need laws to give them equal rights, because such women already possess them. Money, not a handgun, is the Great Equalizer...and then some.
But for Schlafly to deny natural born rights to millions of other women who could not match what was given to her borders on arrogant, sinful behavior. She will never be forgiven in this world or the next.
But for Schlafly to deny natural born rights to millions of other women who could not match what was given to her borders on arrogant, sinful behavior. She will never be forgiven in this world or the next.
130
Borders? It defines arrogant, sinful behaviour.
6
As Andy Rooney so eloquently put it, “Phyllis Schlafly speaks for all American women who oppose equal rights for themselves”. As a 63 year old white male who has always supported women’s rights, I am so glad this unpleasant person has finally left this earth (although I’m sure members of her family are sad and I am sorry for them and wish them all the best).
108
Her rhetoric, policy positions, and stubbornness hurt people. Enough said.
95
Phyllis Schafly set the blue-print for the conservative media darling, a formula that still works to this day. Be white, blonde (I don't know why blonde hair is so important to this cause, but it is), "good looking" by conventional standards, and go on TV saying the most vicious, hateful things simply because who could really be rude to this nice-looking white lady?
Of course these media darlings usually have skeletons in the closet, be it an unruly brood (Sarah Palin), an unhappy failing marriage (Anita Bryant), a gay son (Schafly), or an intolerable work environment (all the Fox female anchors who've complained about the non-stop sexual harassment). But complete lack of self-awareness, empathy, and an iron constitution means these ladies live long and get some nice obits when and if they kick the bucket.
White privilege at its most disgusting.
Of course these media darlings usually have skeletons in the closet, be it an unruly brood (Sarah Palin), an unhappy failing marriage (Anita Bryant), a gay son (Schafly), or an intolerable work environment (all the Fox female anchors who've complained about the non-stop sexual harassment). But complete lack of self-awareness, empathy, and an iron constitution means these ladies live long and get some nice obits when and if they kick the bucket.
White privilege at its most disgusting.
205
Not to mention the privilege inherent in having a wealthy husband who can bankroll all those activities, including your own law school education. The ultimate hypocrite.
67
Phyllis Schlafly quotes:
“Sex education classes are like in-home sales parties for abortions.” –
“The atomic bomb is a marvelous gift that was given to our country by a wise God.”
“It is long overdue for parents to realize they have the right and duty to protect our children against the intolerant evolutionists.”
“Many professors are Marxists or other varieties of radicals who hate America.”
Phyllis Schlafly, a right-wing militarist, Christian Shariah Law Crusader, Know Nothing and one of the nation's more despicable human beings, once again revealed her dark soul in her final days by endorsing Donald Trump for President of the United States.
Some people are pure darkness.
“Sex education classes are like in-home sales parties for abortions.” –
“The atomic bomb is a marvelous gift that was given to our country by a wise God.”
“It is long overdue for parents to realize they have the right and duty to protect our children against the intolerant evolutionists.”
“Many professors are Marxists or other varieties of radicals who hate America.”
Phyllis Schlafly, a right-wing militarist, Christian Shariah Law Crusader, Know Nothing and one of the nation's more despicable human beings, once again revealed her dark soul in her final days by endorsing Donald Trump for President of the United States.
Some people are pure darkness.
355
but she doesn't get to vote for him.
19
She achieved fame, notoriety, and set back the cause of women's rights at least 50 years with her fearful rhetoric. Because of her women still don't have equality in America. Her focus on bathrooms is reminiscent of today's focus on bathrooms for transgender people. What a shame we're still focused on who uses what bathroom instead of keeping our noses out of peoples reproductive lives and letting them decide what forms of contraception to use, if they want abortions, and if they want to be male or female versus what they were born as.
94
Pergolesi died at 26, Schubert at 31, Mozart at 35. To live till 92, as Phyllis Schlafy did, and cause so much evil in the world during all those years takes a special talent.
133
Phyllis Schlafly proudly promoted patriarchy, all the while defying it - with the "permission," , of course!, of her husband. In her white, upper class world, one did not need to be equal to be better, and she believed herself better. From her lofty socioeconomic perch equality was a drawback, and she didn't want all the rest of the world's women to have the same opportunities she had. Equality would have resulted in competition, something she wasn't willing to take on. Her death is another papercut for the patriarchy, and the final papercut cannot come soon enough.
102
Are you speaking about Mrs. Clinton who associates with Paul McCartney, Jimmy Buffet and Bon Jovi whose combined net worth is nearly 1.43 B attends fundraisers on Martha's Vineyard and the Hamptons because "that's were the money is." or Mrs. Schlafly who understood that the family is the foundation of a healthy nation
3
What "pro-family"/"pro-humanity" organizations has Ms Schlafly left behind? NONE. !! All she left behind were legal/PAC/political organizations.
NO organization/shelter for single mothers
NO orphanages for those "unwanted" miracles
NOTHING to provide money for women wanting to stay home to raise their children
NOTHING to help understand homosexuality or counsel families with an LGBT member
NOTHING to aid families in need. (No homeless shelters, no food pantries)
NOTHING to counsel couples seeking divorce
NOTHING for runaway teens
I'm hardly the biggest fan of Hillary Clinton, but at least Mrs. Clinton and family have put together a foundation that actually helps people in this world with disaster relief and to aid in health efforts world-wide, in reducing malaria, HIV/AIDS, and trying to make medicines affordable. Sounds a lot more "Christian" to me.
NO organization/shelter for single mothers
NO orphanages for those "unwanted" miracles
NOTHING to provide money for women wanting to stay home to raise their children
NOTHING to help understand homosexuality or counsel families with an LGBT member
NOTHING to aid families in need. (No homeless shelters, no food pantries)
NOTHING to counsel couples seeking divorce
NOTHING for runaway teens
I'm hardly the biggest fan of Hillary Clinton, but at least Mrs. Clinton and family have put together a foundation that actually helps people in this world with disaster relief and to aid in health efforts world-wide, in reducing malaria, HIV/AIDS, and trying to make medicines affordable. Sounds a lot more "Christian" to me.
61
KB - None of the people you mentioned are trying to keep anyone from voting, marrying the person they love, earning a fair wage etc.
31
Mrs. Schlafly made a lucrative career out of ensuring that women, as a matter of law, were not to find full expression, in the workplace or the domestic front. Because of her, and using her professional skills (!) to kill the ERA ( I still don't get how that happened), I make 12K less than the less experienced, less educated man who had my public sector job management job before me. Sure, I could sue, but unlike Gretchen Carlson, I would most certainly wind up in litigation for years, be out of pocket tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees in the meantime, and also be blackballed in my profession. My Scottish grandmother would have called Schlafy a busy body. I would call her a hypocrite and a thief.
219
When hypocrites die, it feels hypocritical to refrain from criticizing them, despite the convention of not speaking ill of the dead. Schlafly was a classic hypocrite, a strong woman leading a political/social movement while denouncing feminism. Phyllis, hate to break it to you, even in death, but you actually led the life of a feminist by working publicly for what you believed in.
254
Except feminism is about the good of all women - not just self-interested self-promotion.
14
This is 100% wrong, as I just remarked to someone else.
Women's liberation is not about personal empowerment or consumer choices or any of that watered-down third wave nonsense.
Women's liberation rests upon solidarity among women.
"Working publicly for what you believe in" is anti-feminist when it is anti-woman!
Women's liberation is not about personal empowerment or consumer choices or any of that watered-down third wave nonsense.
Women's liberation rests upon solidarity among women.
"Working publicly for what you believe in" is anti-feminist when it is anti-woman!
10
Basically, Schafly was opposed to other women having the help to enable them to have the career and life that she had. She did a lot of damage during her life.
180
This is one female that I will not miss. She did a lot of damage and was the scourge of my youth.
106
In some ways Schafly WAS liberated, despite the fact that her beliefs were at odds with my onw, you have to have a grudging respect for someone who was never afraid to stand up and speak their mind - idiotic though their antiquated ideas were. Can't say I will miss her, but I am sure her family will.
21
I will never miss her and I wonder how her son feels?
12
@Gini: Her gay son worked for her organization. I cannot imagine the level of self-loathing that poor man feels.
25
Schafly deserves as much respect for speaking her mind as would Torquemada if he were to reappear today and take up his old job again.
11
A formidable lobbyist for her causes, but always a bit short on rachmones for others.
19
The highest honor Mrs. Schlafly can receive here is the universal disapproval of the readers of the NYT.Well done, Mrs. Schlafly rest in peace, you fought "the good fight."
15
"Women should be at home taking care of their family".......except for me.
126
Good for whom?
36
Good for white males, nobody else benefited from her attitudes.
34
She was the cultural villain of my childhood.
137
While I have some regard for someone willing to maintain such conviction, Mrs. Schlafly seems to have occupied the wrong side of history. Supporting the likes of Goldwater and Trump, by itself, should call anyone's judgement into question. And while many see her as the matriarch of modern conservatism, I see someone who led the Republicans into supported untenable positions in modern society.
184
Justice Scalia and Phyllis Schlafly gone in the same year. Both obedient catholics in power who promoted the church's archaic rules that discriminate against women. Perhaps now America can move ahead.
Now is the time to pass the Equal Rights Amendment that prohibits ANY law in America that discriminates against a woman's inalienable right - given to her by her creator - to choose what she does with her own body. It is 40+ years past time for an Amendment to OUR U.S. Constitution that prohibits ANY law that discriminates based on gender.
Now is the time to pass the Equal Rights Amendment that prohibits ANY law in America that discriminates against a woman's inalienable right - given to her by her creator - to choose what she does with her own body. It is 40+ years past time for an Amendment to OUR U.S. Constitution that prohibits ANY law that discriminates based on gender.
218
She was great at running her mouth but produced nothing of value to anyone other than herself and those who shared her narrow-minded and backwards views.
I know I sure won't miss her.
I know I sure won't miss her.
257
Phyllis Schlafly was no more a traditional housewife than Donald Trump is a Christian or a champion of the American worker. She was a brilliant and energetic but intellectually dishonest provocateuse of the far right - a noisemaker and often hateful scold who never won a general election and whose notoriety, like Trump's, was disproportionate to the number of people who actually subscribed to her often loony ideas (she opposed summit meetings between world leaders, and praised nuclear weapons as a gift from God). A closeted member of the John Birch Society, she shamelessly trafficked in disinformation and conspiracy theories ('A Choice Not an Echo') to an extent that would do Vladimir Putin proud. I am unable to recall a public figure of the last century as smug, self-righteous, and reliably wrongheaded as Mrs. Schlafly, nor can I summon to mind even a single position of hers with which I could agree.
838
Very well put. Sadly, her ideas still resonate with some who choose to live with blinders on and subscribe to a far-right agenda. How have we not put aside these nonesensical notions?
73
Perhaps she will receive the ultimate enlightenment now.
25
Cry Liberals. Cry. She is gaining more ground today than ever before and YOU are now on the wrong side of history.
3
She preached judgement and oppression against all women who didn't live her life of privilege, who had no access to the same resources, who didn't think as she did.
487
A song right out of the Republican playbook.
23
Her parent's experience puts the lie to her politicking. Society may feel that women should stay home and take care of children-- but they better be ready at a moments notice to pick up the slack if the husband fails to earn, or loses his job, or leaves, or takes up drinking.
When Al Qaeda was on the ropes, in the Afghan war, even those men (who regard women as little better than animals) put assault rifles in their hands and told them to fight.
In a society, secluding women as a separate class of being who doesn't engage with the larger world, but whose sphere is purely domestic, is a thin and spurious delusion which will be discarded the moment things don't go as planned-- women will be called upon to perform in any way necessary for the greater good-- and women had best remember that, always, and not buy into any delusions to the contrary (such as those peddled by Mrs. Schlafly, God rest her soul).
When Al Qaeda was on the ropes, in the Afghan war, even those men (who regard women as little better than animals) put assault rifles in their hands and told them to fight.
In a society, secluding women as a separate class of being who doesn't engage with the larger world, but whose sphere is purely domestic, is a thin and spurious delusion which will be discarded the moment things don't go as planned-- women will be called upon to perform in any way necessary for the greater good-- and women had best remember that, always, and not buy into any delusions to the contrary (such as those peddled by Mrs. Schlafly, God rest her soul).
123
As Alvin Toffler wrote of lawyers and progress in Future Shock, Phyllis Schlafly was a beaver--they stand in the river of progress and dam it up.
393
I find it sad that her purpose in life became to deny to all women the same privileges she was afforded as a white, upper class stay-at-home mother. Although highly successful at what she managed to accomplishment, it was at the expense of her fellow American women struggling to be "liberated" in the way Ms. Shafly already was herself. Truly shameful and I hope we all remember that evil lurks in all places.
673
A highly successfully professional woman, with a remarkable career, worthy of note in the history books. A woman who pursued and achieved her goals in life.
In my opinion that is was defines a feminist, the right to achieve your goals in life. She was not the perfect pie baking wife and mother. With the career she pursed, I see it as hypocritical to work so hard to deny it to all women.
How different life could have been if the ERA had passed.
In my opinion that is was defines a feminist, the right to achieve your goals in life. She was not the perfect pie baking wife and mother. With the career she pursed, I see it as hypocritical to work so hard to deny it to all women.
How different life could have been if the ERA had passed.
285
I get your point. But the "hypocrite" argument, which we hear so often in connection with Mrs. Schlafly, only takes one so far.
A woman who dedicates her career to so-called traditional values would be required to conduct her life - through much activity outside of (and far away from) the home - in a manner antithetical to that cause.
Under this line of criticism no woman could ever take this position and promote it fully without a charge of hypocrisy.
A woman who dedicates her career to so-called traditional values would be required to conduct her life - through much activity outside of (and far away from) the home - in a manner antithetical to that cause.
Under this line of criticism no woman could ever take this position and promote it fully without a charge of hypocrisy.
22
"worthy of note in the history books"
Yes, the way George Wallace and Anita Bryant deserve note - people who spent their life trying to set back the rights of others.
Yes, the way George Wallace and Anita Bryant deserve note - people who spent their life trying to set back the rights of others.
22
Like this quote.
"Feminism has changed the way women think, and it has changed the way men think. But the trouble is, it hasn’t changed the attitudes of babies at all.”
So true - notwithstanding various mental gymnastics and questionable studies to deny it.
"Feminism has changed the way women think, and it has changed the way men think. But the trouble is, it hasn’t changed the attitudes of babies at all.”
So true - notwithstanding various mental gymnastics and questionable studies to deny it.
21
Luckily, I am too young to have really been aware of Mrs. Schlafly in her heyday. That said, after reading her views on working women and those in abusive relationships I'm not sure if she actually knew any women at all.
318
babies are babies for such a brief time. Not enough time for a woman to build her life around.
135
Maybe a universal and realistic maternity leave would solve that! (more than six weeks.)
38
She was a hypocrite who led fearful women into misguided ideas against their own best interests. She preyed upon those fears to build herself a career of backward movement for all women.
If she'd not married rich or had other misfortunes, doubtful she would have had the nutty ideas she promoted. Her ideas were for the privileged of her gender class and no doubt reactionary to the working life her own mother was condemned to.
If she'd not married rich or had other misfortunes, doubtful she would have had the nutty ideas she promoted. Her ideas were for the privileged of her gender class and no doubt reactionary to the working life her own mother was condemned to.
735
Gloria Steinem married a rich guy too.
17
Sean, Gloria Steinem had amassed her own wealth before marrying at the age of 70. Her husband happened to be wealthy but so was she.
61
At the age of 66, Steinem married David Bale, a businessman turned activist. He died a few years later. It was Steinem's only marriage, and she has worked hard all her life not only to support herself, but to improve the lives of all women.
71
With all due respect, it is hard to imagine another person in our time who has done more damage for women's rights. And I'm sure she was very proud of that.
992
She was a traitor to all of us women who worked and marched for equal rights for blacks and for gays and for ourselves. I learned when the 1964 civil rights act was passed that congressmen threw in the part about women to try to sabotage the act, and of course the wording excludes elected officials who chose their secretaries by color, of skin, hair and eyes. Women who work against women's rights are traitors.
603
Ironical that she died on Labor Day -- she, who had spent so much of her life preventing women from having the full rights of Labor.
464
I marched in Illinois for women's rights and this traitor had the nerve to die on my birthday. She must be getting the last word--I thought she was already dead.
41
I liked just about nothing she stood for, but I stood in awe of whatever the genius was that accounted for her astounding successes as a movement leader. She was the antithesis of all the things she stood for.
92
A country that (still) has a lot of hateful, backward people to vote against their own self-interest isn't "genius." And she was far from being the only person prescient enough to tap into it.
177
"She was the antithesis of all the things she stood for."
I.e. a thorough hypocrite.
I.e. a thorough hypocrite.
6
Only the good die young.
621
My thoughts exactly.
But then I thought, there is President Carter.
He is good.
He is very old (91).
And I wish him many more productive years.
But then I thought, there is President Carter.
He is good.
He is very old (91).
And I wish him many more productive years.
18
Typical affluent white woman with a husband to pay for household help so she could run around the country shafting women struggling to make a living and a life without the economic advantages she enjoyed. She LOVED being in the spotlight as she agitated against the ERA and women's access to contraception and abortion.
910
What's helped women more in modern times,
feminism or for clothes the the indoor drier.
If I say “both the latter” I am outlier
not an outliar as I am in many rhymes,
for I believe that that more than feminism,
paper diapers have empowered them to be
empowered---somewhat-- in the country of the free.
Does this create between me and them a great chism?
I'm sure it does, for feminism has become
an article of the religion of most females,
including many who enjoy my emails,
but this religion is in my opinion dumb.
It's not the concept, stupid, rather it's machines
and products, which have led to women' liberation,
and thus enabled about half of this great nation
to dress far better and pend less time in latrines.
My view like those of the late Phyllis Schafly,
sees both indoor driers and the paper diapers
as more significant, ungracious to the gripers
who worship feminism golden calfly.