Lenny Schafer
Copyright L. Schafer, 1996
Washington DC
C
ontroversy has erupted amongst the nation's leading feminists with the naming of Sue Smith "Woman of the Year" by the South Carolina branch of the National Organization for Women. Sue Smith is the young mother who confessed to the drowning deaths of her two young sons."Women of South Carolina need a positive interpretation to these tragic events to help us through our grief," explained F. J. Kates, President of NOW S.C. "Smith should be seen as a victim who finally took drastic measures to free herself of lifelong oppression," explained Kates, "Smith took heroic, albeit misguided, action to take control of her life. What's so bad about that? Women should admire her desire to raise herself above her lot as a home-bound mother - and not just focus on the negative aspects of her actions."
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When asked more specifically about N.O.W.'s position on the deaths of the two boys, Kates reflected "no doubt that it's unfortunate that things went this far. Smith always had access to Planned Parenthood options, its tragic that she didn't take disposal actions while still pregnant with the boys. If she hadn't waited so long it all would have been perfectly legal. This is the real tragedy." |
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Patricia Ireland, the president of N.O.W., expressed her concern about the actions of their South Carolina affiliate. "Some will clearly not understand our acknowledgment of Smith's heroic actions," explained Ireland at a hastily called news conference, "we must be sensitive to the reality that not all women have the raised consciousness of the women's movement, and may take our selection the wrong way. We should have taken more time before announcing this year's Woman of the Year."
When asked more specifically about N.O.W.'s position on the deaths of the two boys, Kates reflected "no doubt that it's unfortunate that things went this far. Smith always had access to Planned Parenthood options, its tragic that she didn't take disposal actions while still pregnant with the boys. If she hadn't waited so long it all would have been perfectly legal. This is the real tragedy."
Sue Smith replaces Lorena Bobbit as the N.O.W. Woman of the Year. Bobbit was named the organization hero - she was found guilty of being temporarily insane for severing the penis of her sleeping husband. Despite being touted as a role model for women, Bobbit renounced any affiliation with any women's group. "I'm just a manicurist -- I just want to be left alone so I can get back to my job and get my tips."
Elsewhere in Boston, Sen. Ted Kennedy denied knowing Sue Smith or every having given her driving lessons.