Breaking news from Feministe (ok, fine, it’s a few days old, but I’ve been busy):

Washington University announced last week that they are giving Phyllis Schlafly, professional anti-feminist, an honorary doctorate degree. The release calls Schlafly “a national leader of the conservative movement.” What they fail to mention however, is that she is also an anti-feminist leader who believes married women can’t be raped (”By getting married, the woman has consented to sex, and I don’t think you can call it rape.”), that there should be bans on women working in nontraditional fields (like construction work or firefighting), and - oh yeah - that the ERA is dangerous.

The comments section for this post is particularly lovely, and the basic gist seems to be this: if you disagree with us, you don’t deserve an honorary degree.  But it takes a feminist, I guess, to ignore the fact that Schlafly was (and still is) a hugely important figure in shaping the conservative movement.  She is incredibly intelligent, a prolific writer, and a important figure in the history of modern conservatism.  But because she isn’t a feminist, she shouldn’t be recognized for her accomplishments.

Also, tomorrow I graduate from the College of Charleston.  Go me!