The Veiled Revolution

In the 1900's the movement for equality for women was present not just in the United States but all over the world. Women's rights were being promoted. It was a fantastic movement, and I am incredibly grateful for it.

In The Middle East the women's rights movement included removing the veils (the hijab) that are part of Muslim custom. Many women began to dress in western culture style.

Eventually women in some Middle East nations started participating in government. This was an image which the governments enjoyed, appearing to comply more with western norms.

Then came the 1980's and something strange happened. Women started putting the veil back on. Even women in government were putting the veils back on. Why? They had been given the freedom to choose and they chose to live their religion as they understood it. Nobody was forcing them to, they just did.

This upset some of the male government officials. After all they wanted to show the world that their countries were westernizing. But, the women insisted and stood up for their rights to live their religion.

I love this story. I think a similar thing is happening in the United States. There is a huge movement among women who are conservative. The movement is not just to be conservative but to be so openly.

The introduction of Sarah Palin on the national scene showed some very interesting things. I make no secret that I am a huge supporter of the Governor, even prior to her being chosen as V.P. nominee. It was common for people to either love her or hate her, there did not seem to be a whole lot of middle ground.

Who loved her? Well, she awakened several sleeping giants, one of which is conservative women. Elizabeth Hasselback the famously lone conservative voice on The View said that before Sarah Palin she would have women who after the show would privately confess that they agreed with her. After the Governor's introduction those conservative audience members began to be more vocal and cheering her on from the audience.

Sarah Palin is deeply conservative and so pro-life she actually lived what she preached. She is religious. Like her or not you have to admit she withstood the seemingly never-ending attacks with grace and strength.

Why did people hate her? She did not fit the liberal definition of feminism. Here was a woman who given the right to choose, chose to be conservative. She chose life. She also chose to serve.

The day she was announced as the nominee one of my first thoughts was "now my future daughters, will have someone to look up to." She believes the same things I do about religion and conservatism. There are certainly some points we don't agree on. But, for the most part she represents me.

The feminism that came out of the 60's and 70's was one highly concentrated on equal rights, but also abortion. In fact the pro-choice movement became definitive for feminism. How then could someone be a feminist and be pro-life? Sarah Palin shows us how.

The 60's and 70's generation of feminists don't really get us conservatives. But, more and more women are choosing life, are choosing faith and are choosing to stand up and serve.

It's a peaceful revolution but it is alive and well. I'm proud to be counted among the conservative women's movement.