Phyllis Schlafly (File photo)Last Thursday evening, Chairman Nathan Packer, Vice Chairman Matt Leigh, and Special Advisor Jay Hanley traveled to Agnes Scott College in Decatur a Thursday to hear a lecture on “The Failure of Feminism” by conservative icon Phyllis Schlafly.
The appearance was sponsored by the Agnes Scott College Chapter of College Republicans. We were joined by Georgia Association of College Republicans Chairman Chris Dempsey, GACR Vice Chairwoman Esther Clark, and GACR Executive Director Ruth Maholtra. Mrs. Schlafly faced a mostly hostile crowd at the all-female college, but there was also a good contingent of conservative supporters.
Mrs. Schlafly began the lecture by reminding that American woman were among the most fortunate in the world. Basically, feminists were out to “correct God’s mistake of making men physically stronger than women.” She led the fight in the 1970’s to defeat the Equal Rights Amendment. She said feminists did not believe that the Equal Rights Amendment could fail, as it was supported by Presidents Nixon, Ford, and Carter, but grassroots support from conservative women all over the country helped the effort to defeat the amendment.
It was noted that men traditionally have 60 percent more body strength than women and that men are more suited to fighting in wars. Feminists wanted women to be drafted. Mrs. Schlafly said that most women cannot throw a hand grenade far enough to keep from killing themselves!
Mrs. Schlafly gave a brief background of herself: Her family had no money for her to attend college, so she worked 48 hours per week as a gunner in an ammunition plant. She graduated in three years. Politics was a hobby. She became actively involved in the 1964 presidential campaign of Barry Goldwater. She wrote the book, “Choice Not an Echo,” selling over 3 million copies. In 1967, she began publishing the monthly, “Phyllis Schlafly Report.” For additional details, see
http://www.eagleforum.org/.
Numerous questions were taken from liberal students and professors. Mrs. Schlafly answered each question with a clear, concise response and brought out the ignorance of many questioners.
Following the lecture and question and answer session, we met Catherine Davis, Republican candidate for the Fourth District Congressional seat now held by “Miss Controversy” Cynthia McKinney. We wished Ms. Davis luck and offered to help on her campaign. For more information, see
http://www.catherinedavis.org/.