Eva is asking participants in this challenge to do a quick start 0f challenge meme.

1. What does feminism mean to you? Does it have to do with the work sphere? The social sphere? How you dress? How you act?

I grew up in the midst of the woman’s movement and feminism has a pretty broad meaning to me. I was raised by a strong, professional mother (she earned her degree in nursing and later went on to become National School Nurse of the Year). Most people think about women’s rights in the workplace, and yes, that is important…but I think it really is more than that. To me, feminism speaks of a woman’s strengths in whatever she chooses to do…whether it be a professional position, a mom, an artist, a spokeswoman, etc… Woman bring compassion, empathy and courage to our world. They consistently reach out to others. Having the freedom to be who we dream of being is a big part of feminism. Many women are not living where they are free – and yet the feminist movement continues in these countries through many different means. To me, feminism represents the courage of women, the striving to be able to pursue our dreams, and the battle to ensure our safety in a world which does not always recognize the rights of women.

2. Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not?

Yes, I do (read my definition above!) I don’t burn my bras, but I speak out on issues I think are important to women (really issues that are important to all people). I am inspired by the women out there who are making a difference in our world, who have fought against injustice, and survived some pretty horrible things. I also consistently vote for government representatives who support women’s issues.

3. What do you consider the biggest obstacle women face in the world today? Has that obstacle changed over time, or does it basically remain the same?

Wow, that’s a tough question to narrow down. I guess I would have to say freedom of choice…and by that I mean, being able to be in charge of our own bodies, escaping from abusive situations, and having economic freedom. I think that has been an ongoing challenge for women. There is still a lot of sexism in the world. Our laws do not always protect women. We find ourselves continuing to face threats to our freedoms. I don’t see this as something that is changing very quickly.

November 1, 2009 – November 30, 2010

Eva at A Striped Armchair, Aarti from Booklust, and Care from Care’s Online Book Club are hosting a challenge dedicated to women which has its own challenge site. The  Women Unbound Reading Challenge encourages participants to read nonfiction and fiction books related to the rather broad idea of ‘women’s studies.’ Eva gives a definition of this on the page about the challenge.

There are three levels you can choose as a reader:

• Philogynist: read at least two books, including at least one nonfiction one.
• Bluestocking: read at least five books, including at least two nonfiction ones.
• Suffragette: read at least eight books, including at least three nonfiction ones.

I’m going to go for reading 8 books (Suffragette). We don’t have to make up a reading list ahead of time, but I thought it would be fun to pull some books from my shelf which seem to fit the theme of this challenge (and I’ll keep adding to this list as I discover more great books).

Non Fiction:

1. Persepolis AND Persepolis 2, by Marjane Satrapi – (92 graphic memoirs about Satrapi’s life growing up during the Islamic Revolution in Iran) – COMPLETED December 28, 2009; rated 4/5 and 4.5/5; read my review of Persepolis; read my review of Persepolis 2.
2. I Never Told Anyone: Writings by Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse, edited by Ellen Bass and Louise Thornton (an anthology of women’s writings about their experiences as children of sexual abuse) – COMPLETED March 27, 2010; rated 5/5; read my review.
3. There is No Me Without You: One Woman’s Odyssey to Rescue Her Country’s Children, by Melissa Fay Greene (the story of Haregewoin Terferra, a middle-class Ethiopian woman who opens her home to AIDS orphans and facilitates adoptions to homes all over the world) – COMPLETED June 9, 2010; rated 4/5; read my review.
4. The Blue Sweater, by Jacqueline Novogratz (memoir following the  journey of the author through Africa, India and Pakistan and ultimately creating a mulit-million dollar organization to bridge the gap between global poverty and wealth) – COMPLETED July 17, 2010; rated 5/5; read my review.
5. Hiroshima in the Morning, by Rahna Reiko Rizzuto (memoir about the author’s experience during a 6 month research trip to Hiroshima – explores the role of women as mothers and wives, and identity) – COMPLETED October 5, 2010; rated 5/5; read my review.

Fiction

1. The Passport, by Herta Muller (winner of the 2009 Nobel Prize for Literature; novella about the plight of people living in Romania under the dictatorship of Ceausescu; one theme is the debasement of women) – COMPLETED November 24, 2009; rated 5/5; read my review.
2. Kristin Lavransdatter, by Sigrid Undset – (A novel about the life of a Norwegian woman – from childhood into adulthood – living in the 14th century. Undset is the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.) – COMPLETED December 20, 2009; rated 4.5/5; read my review of The Wreath, The Wife, and The Cross.
3. Sacred Hearts, by Sarah Dunant – (A novel set in sixteenth century Italy about a young girl forced into convent life against her will) – COMPLETED January 21, 2010; rated 4/5; read my review.
4. The Children’s Book, by A.S. Byatt – (An historical novel set in the late 19th/early 20th century in England; there is a huge amount of information re: the Women’s Suffrage movement in England and also women’s issues of independence vs. dependence) – COMPLETED March 14, 2010; rated 5/5; read my review.
5. Impatient With Desire, by Gabrielle Burton – (An historical novel which imagines letters and journals written by Tamsen Donner and re-creates the ill-fated journey of the Donner Party. A book which looks at women as pioneers in American history). – COMPLETED April 10, 2010; rated 4/5; read my review.
6. My Name is Mary Sutter, by Robin Oliveira – (An historical novel set during the Civil War in the United States which explores the role of women in medicine) – COMPLETED May 19, 2010; rated 4.5/5; read my review.
7. The Quickening, by Michelle Hoover (An historical novel set in the midwest which explores women’s roles in farming during the early to mid-part of the twentieth century) – COMPLETED June 26, 2010; rated 4/5; read my review.
8. City of Veils, by Zoe Ferraris – (A mystery-thriller set in Saudi Arabia – themes include women’s rights, the struggle between the modern and traditional cultures of Saudi Arabia, and male/female relationships in an evolving society where traditionally men wield all the power.) – COMPLETED August 24, 2010; rated 4.5/5; read my review.