Photo By Jymi Bolden

What role does religion play in your identity and peace of mind? A small part. I wasn’t raised in a family church, but in a good family with strong values. I read the Bible and believe and was taught that you don’t have to be a member to praise and worship God. -- Brandi Yvonne Hambrick, 22, Self-employed drama teacher, Avondale

What three things must be done to revitalize Feminism? Get women to look outside their box. Women still identify with their specific group -- racially, economically, stay-at-home moms, corporate women, etc. -- instead of seeing issues that cross the lines. Second, raise awareness, especially among younger women, including where we've been. Third, create a broad-based movement with women from all walks of life, encompassing various viewpoints. This is the corollary to No. 1, which suggests individual women widen their parameters.
-- Patricia Van Skaik, 44, Library department head, Walnut Hills

What can be done to better unify us? Stop viewing other women as competition for everything. Talk to someone new once a day. You'll be surprised how much you have in common with her.

How do you perceive women of different races? The same as myself. They might have different issues and battles, but they want to survive and find love and have goals and express themselves, just like I do.
-- Tara M. Guilfoil, mid-20s, Dancer, actress, receptionist, Downtown

Many have said Feminism is dead. Do you agree or disagree? Why? It seems that with the state the world is in, Humanism should be our focus. Feminism divides.

Where do you get your perception of women of different races (i.e., TV, movies, friends, etc.)? All media infiltrates your schemas of people. Common sense should filter out the ridiculous.
-- Jennifer Semler, 25, Headhunter, Fairfield

What role does religion play in your identity and peace of mind?

Traditional religion -- i.e., Christianity -- does not enter my faith or spirituality.
-- Marti Kwatkowski, 53, Office manager and student, Symmes Township

Photo By Jymi Bolden

Cite specific examples of unity among Cincinnati’s different communities of women. I could not believe, when I came to Northside, how strong the lesbian community is and how it truly inspired me. -- Taylor Jameson, 38, Mother, hairdresser, traveler, Northside

Do you work with women of different races or cultures? If not, where and how do you interact with those who are different from you?

Yes. I seem to get along fine with all but blue-eyed, blonde WASPs. They don't like me.

How do you perceive women of different races? As equals. I wish WASPs felt the same. Their attitude, even to other whites, can be that some animals are more equal than others.

Cite specific examples of unity among Cincinnati's different communities of women. Black women tend to have the most unity; they know how to stick together. White women compete with each other too much.

What can be done to better unify us? Drop the B.S. and get real. Forget popular culture and create one that works for everybody -- men, women and children.
-- Deiangra Richan, 43, Artist, Clifton

What three things can be done to revitalize Feminism? Education, education, education!

Photo By Jymi Bolden

How successful has America’s Feminist movement been? Not very. It’s only allowed some women to get more “manly” or “mannish,” whatever the word is that means “not feminine.” How do you perceive women of different races? As people with whom I should share the Creator’s love. -- Dena M. Reed, 43, Office clerk, Mount Auburn

What role does religion play in your identity and peace of mind? I'm atheist, and I look to nature for peace of mind, which helps shape identity in a didactic way.

How successful has America's Feminist movement been? Very successful. Women are more liberated and have more freedom and protection than we did 20 years ago.
-- Cherie Haas, 23, Clerk, Fort Thomas

What can be done to better unify us? Having an open mind about people. Everyone is different; we shouldn't be categorized.
-- Jennifer Marco, 17, Store clerk, Colerain

What three things can be done to revitalize Feminism? For details, read Susan Faludi's Backlash.
-- Katherine Fryer, 60, Retired, Hyde Park

How do you perceive women of different races? I perceive other women as essentially the same as me. However, there are bigger barriers to trust between women who are different -- in age, socio-economic status, race or culture. I usually find I have more in common with someone who is from my social class or education level. Those two differences seem to affect my ability to relate with someone more than their race or ethnicity.
-- Dana, 32, Arts administrator, No area of residence given

Do you work with women of different races or cultures? If not, where and how do you interact with those who are different from you? I'm a student at a university that truly lacks diversity, Miami. But I've worked as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher/volunteer. I am also involved in Habitat for Humanity.
-- Katharine M. Bruns, 21, Student, Oxford

Photo By Jymi Bolden

Many have said Feminism is dead. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Feminism is not dead. The hallmark of recent Feminism is its compulsive, painful and necessary self-examination. Feminism, as a theory, is harder on itself than its opponents could ever be. Followers of Feminism ask constant questions: Is this a white woman’s movement? Has Feminism ignored lesbians? Am I ageist? What about class? Colonialism? Capitalism? Who am I not even seeing? And, yes, Feminists ask, “Is Feminism dead?” -- Georgine Getty Vice President of Action, National Organization for Women, Cincinnati Chapter Clifton

How do you perceive women of different races? I feel they're misunderstood on several levels and judged not on their characters but by the reputation of their heritage.

Many have said Feminism is dead. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Feminism is the idea that women are equal to men and can carry equal responsibility. It's alive.

Do you work with women of different races or cultures? If not, where and how do you interact with those who are different from you? I did in my old office, but my current office doesn't have any women of other races or other cultures. Yes, I'm queer, they're straight.

What can be done to better unify us? Ignore identity politics. It's so 1990s, anyway.
-- Sarah Dorrance, 30, Mortgage loan consultant, Price Hill

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My Mother, Myself
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Girl, Interrupted
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Take My Mother, Please!
My mother takes life's lumps one laugh at a time

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