Denton Record-Chronicle from Denton, Texas • Page 29

Women's Neivs DENTON RECORD-CHRONICLE Section DENTON, TEXAS, SUNDAY MORNING, MARCH 26, 1972 Steinem, Sloan Draw Big Crowd By MARILYN HAJSTEN Staff Writer A capacity crowd of female students, with a sprinkling of faculty members and men, in Texas Woman's University's main auditorium to hear two feminist leaders expound on sexism, racism, job discrimination, children, a a i homosexuality, bisexuality -all within an atmosphere of a rebellious undercurrent, implicit in side remarks and allusions, that has been making small waves on the TWU campus in the last few weeks. "I've been on my way here a year," said Gloria Steinem, editor of Ms. magazine and named Woman of the Year by McCalTs. "I first came to Texas a year ago. Wherever I went (she has visited on the campuses of SMU and 'East Texas State University) there would be a small group of TWU students brave, intelligent, desperate If we come today and there's no trouble tomorrow, we haven't done our job." "Here is a version of women's troubles all over the country," she continued.

"I understand dorm rules are still going on it's very rare in the country now." She believes the rules come from the tradition that "females must be protected." She noted that there is "much more cooperation and fewer boundaries between races of women here; that is very rare. It is a great tribute to the women on this campus." In a question-and-answer session, Steinem was asked if she thought all schools should be co-educational. She said she went to an all- girl school. At one time, she noted, it was felt that men would add "magical power" to the school. Now, however, there is "enormous opportunity for a school run by, for and about women.

This is only true if the consciousness is there," she said. When asked to make a response to a petition that has been circulating among the students requesting of the administration certain changes in policy, Steinem said, "It seems reasonable; what you're really asking for is the Constitution." Her cool evaluation of women today, how through history they have come' to their present status as "second class citizens" to be "equated with blacks and chicanes," was generally well recevied by the audience. blamed woman's i a i today on a "socialization process that begins with a pink blanket." It is "very deep and thorough; it comes from schools, parents, the media." It also comes from an industrialized society that takes the husband out of the house and leaves the wife and children at home in the suburbs, she said. "The nuclear family is a new and cruel invention," she asserted. In an agricultural society, the family is extended and communal, with everyone working together frequently in similar ways, she added.

The nuclear family gives us "classic overbearing female forced to limit her own hopes and ambitions, which she transfers to her husband and children," the feminist leader said. "This is men's and children's liberation as well," she claimed, "because it gets us off their backs." In another vein, Steinem charged that women are trained to feel incomplete without men; they must be identified with men. See SLOAN, Page 2D Strong Reactions Follow Speeches CALL TO ARMS FOR WOMEN'S LIBERATION Gloria Steinem Speaking At TWU Photo By JiM MAHONEY Whatever emotions Gloria Steinem and Margaret Sloan may have aroused. by their visit to Texas Woman's University to speak on women's liberation, it was obvious they did not produce apathy. Everyone who heard their pleas for support in their movement had an opinion -about their tactics, their approach, their ideologies, their influence on the women students who cheered them on.

Their contrasting speaking styles caused the most comment from the audience. While students, townspeople and faculty alike listened respectfully to the cool, sophisticated style of Steinem, the factions split when Sloan began her heated attack on "white male supremacy." "Black sisters" enthusiastically applauded her coarse language while older matrons set their faces in grim disapproval. One older audience member said, "It was the worst thing I've ever heard. It was embarrassing to sit there, but I was afraid to leave for fear she would say something to the audience about my leaving and cause a scene." She added that Steinem was "all right." On the other hand, Cherri Lott, president of the student government association, said, "I hope people didn't close them out for the way they said what they said." About the obscene language, she asserted that "whatever people understand is appropriate language." She predicted that the effort of the event will be to "make students more conscious that problems are not unique to TWU, that they have com- padres in strength. It will make them less afraid and more ready to stand." Linda Walden agreed that the students have "a good sisterly feeling and see beneath color and age lines." As for the four-letter words used by Sloan.

Linda, a student who has had a major part in circulating a petition among the asking certain stipulations of the administration, said that students are used to hearing this kind of talk; the shock is that "women are not supposed to use that kind of language." She. as well as a number of other students, commented that the speakers "came at a convenient time," when a petition with some 1,000 signatures "involves the whole student body." Evidently not all the students were in complete agreement with everything the speakers said. "I was scared," one student admitted. A similar feeling was stated by a townswoman attending the event. "It scares me what this approach will do to the women's liberation movement; it may alienate too many people." Alienation was the key word used by men students from NTSU who came to hear what women's lib is all about.

Several men expressed offense that Sloan referred to them as "the enemy." They also felt that the coarse language was for "shock appeal only." One NT student noted an inconsistency in the presentations. At one point, he said, Steinem called housework a dirty job for second class citizens that men do not want, while later in her speech she called it a "dignified" job for which women should receive a salary. He also commented that, while Sloan termed the white male the enemy, she and Steinem in their speeches urged men to join the liberation. A number in the audience agreed that the extreme elements must be brought out in order to recognize a problem exisis. "Any movement to bring See STUDENTS.

Page 2D If you're accustomed to greeting each new Easter with something new to wear, you'll find many to inspire you here. First and formost, the polyester knit costumes by Butte Knit. Clever little dresses, each with its own jacket or coat, that leads a varied life after it's fashion debut. Three from our Easter collection; the. navy jacket dress with long sleeve 'print top-.

S6S. The Red and White coat dress. S75. Bandana print shirt top with red stitched skirt and bolero. $55.

MISSESSHOP Downtown Denton Center The important finishing touches. White crinkle patent handbag with silver frame. $10. Shortie cotton gloves In white, red or.navy. $4.

A fabulous fragrance-- Chamade by Guerlafn, from $6.50..