Changing Hawaii

By Diane Yukihiro Chang

Monday, February 16, 1998

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Famous quotes
to remember and forget

TODAY is Presidents' Day so, in honor of the holiday -- and our very first big guy, George "I Chopped Down The Cherry Tree/I Cannot Tell A Lie" Washington -- here is a sampling of quotes from "Sounds Like A New Woman" (Penguin Books, 1993).

The paperback, from the editors of New Woman magazine, was a birthday gift from someone who, like me, believes in the principle that all men AND WOMEN are created equal. Thanks for that gem to live by, President "Honest Abe" Lincoln.

First, the quotes to which I say, "Hallelujah, now ain't that the truth!"

"The term 'working mother' is redundant." -- Erma Bombeck, humor columnist.

"If American women would increase their voting turnout by 10 percent, we would see an end to all of the budget cuts in programs benefiting women and children." -- Coretta Scott King, widow of Martin Luther King Jr.

"I've always believed that one woman's success can only help another woman's success." -- Gloria Vanderbilt, fashion designer.

"When men do dishes, it's called helping. When women do dishes, it's called life." -- Anna Quindlen, writer.

"It will not be the year of the woman until we have half of the House and half of the Senate and a president once in a while." -- Gloria Steinem, author.

"There is a growing strength in women but it's in the forehead, not the forearm." -- Beverly Sills, opera singer.

"Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it." -- Yves Saint Laurent, fashion designer.

Unfortunately, not everyone agrees with the aforementioned enlightened observations. Here are some quotes from the other perspective, to which I say, "Huh? I hope that you're joking."

"To manufacture only small sizes is a favor for humanity. I prevent ugly girls from showing off their bad figures." -- Elio Fiorucci, fashion designer.

"I know it's a sexist opinion, but I hold it nonetheless: Women do not park as well as men." -- Andy Rooney, journalist.

"We will never have the place of men. It is our role to bring order, to bring passion, to bring beauty." -- Imelda Marcos, widow of Ferdinand Marcos.

"Feminism was established to allow unattractive women access to mainstream society." -- Rush Limbaugh, syndicated talk show host.

"There are only three things women are better at than men: cleaning, cooking and having sex." -- Charles Barkley, basketball player.

"You can't be president of the United States and also be a mother." -- Barbara Bush, former first lady.

FINALLY, some quotes that belong in the category, "Aren't you sorry you said that, because things have changed?"

"The best thing is to marry a movie star." -- Model Cindy Crawford, now divorced from actor Richard Gere.

"Isn't she the most beautiful maid you've ever seen in your life?" -- Actor Don Johnson, now divorced from actress Melanie Griffith.

"Women have to be nice-looking. But men must be smart." -- Ivana Trump, now divorced from entrepreneur Donald Trump.

"You know, it really doesn't matter what (the media) write as long as you've got a young and beautiful piece of ass." -- Donald Trump, now going through a divorce from actress Marla Maples.