A Progressive Feminist....

I've heard this term alot lately, and I will admit I have avoided the term feminist because my definition of what a feminist was stemmed from earlier years. When I felt my ideas of motherhood and parenting conflicted with the Feminist groups I was involved with. Those days are now over, though I hadn't really reflected on what it means to be a Feminist today. I've always prefered to consider myself as a "humanist" while I realize that has been used for a different type of defintion.

I decided to search the term "progressive feminist" and see lots of different groups "claim" this to be them. Tammy Bruce just to name one. Progressive is tossed around alot now, we have Progressive Libertarians, Progressive Republicans, Progressive Democrats....and then there's me....

Left here to wonder...am I Progressive? am I a Feminist? Have I avoided the whole "label" of Feminist yet have been one all along? As I have been paying more attention to the blogs out there and come across a large number of women bloggers, some of whom really are very good, it has made me question how I define myself for the purposes of this blog and for those who need to "categorize" people and to see where I fit in as far as finding my niche in the blogosphere.

So let's take a moment to look at the defition of Progressive as a noun:
(from dictionary.com and websters.com)

liberal, progressive -- a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties

Favoring improvement, change, progress, or reform, especially in a political context; - used of people. Contrasted with conservative

Disposed toward adopting new methods in government or education, holding tolerant and liberal ideas, and generally favoring improvement in civic life; - of towns and communities.

Okay....that I can agree with

Now Feminist as a noun:

feminist, women's rightist, women's liberationist, libber -- a supporter of feminism

That wasn't very helpful now was it? So we are forced to look up Feminism:
(believe it or not webster.com did not have Feminist or Feminism listed)

Belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.

For a comparison from a more "conservative" point of view, I turned to the Glossary of Political Words and Terms looking for their definition:

Progressive liberal - An emphasis on equity to the extent that a dependent class must be supported and provided for by society. Disparage capitalism and increase socialist concepts such as government control and ownership, to include tax increases for new and larger social programs. A belief that our domestic and foreign policy should conform with international directive.

feminism - the doctrine of advocating social and political rights for women equal to those of men. (see NOW)

NOW - National Organization for Women. An American organization that at one time had as it's primary goal, promoting equal rights for women. It has evolved into a group promoting leftist and lesbian causes.

Well, that made me both laugh then reflect on how sad some would define both as such....

It came to me then I would suggest my own definition of what a "Progressive Feminist" was :

Progressive Feminist:

An emphasis on equity to the extent that all social classes are supported and provided for by society regardless of their gender or their sexual preference. Strong emphasis on economic, social and civil rights being applied equally regardless of gender or sexual preference. Supports the concept of a better more efficient goverment rather than a larger government. Better utilization of current tax dollars to promote the goal of reformed social programs and education that concentrate on services rather than bureaucracy. Accepting that capitalism is a part of democracy supporting and rewarding responsible corporate citizens to encourage others to realize diversity and equality is of benefit to all of us. A belief that our domestic and foreign policy should emphasize not only how do we continue to make our own country the best it can be but remembering our responsibility to those who have less.

I proudly proclaim myself to be that kind of Progressive Feminist......