MAN, oh, man -- it's a great time to be a woman. Last Friday, three things landed on my desk that reminded me, despite too many sexist shenanigans still going on in this male-oriented world, the "weaker sex" is strong and getting stronger. Proof that women
are making progressThe first piece of good news was on the front page of the Oct. 23 edition of the Star-Bulletin. According to Tokyo correspondent Mari Yamaguchi of the Associated Press, Japan -- one of the most unliberated developed countries on this planet -- is beginning to question age-old traditions.
Wrote Yamaguchi, "As more and more women work full time outside the home, the notion that they should also be the ones doing all of the cooking has changed from unquestioned assumption to a sore point between the sexes."
Hai, so desu! It's true! Not only are married Japanese women debating the fairness of having to work hard both in and out of the office, but more Japanese husbands are willing to prepare family meals. In fact, they are signing up at cooking schools in record numbers.
Such enlightened thinking makes this feminist sansei proud. Arigato and you go, girl!
The second piece of good news came in the form of a Reuters item on the news wire, datelined Sydney. It seems that in two years, as the new millennium arrives, the Miss Australia beauty pageant will be no more.
Why not? Because "people's values have changed and times have changed," according to the chairwoman of the Miss Australia Co. Added the country's reigning queen, "The role of Miss Australia is outdated."
Be still, my heart! Here's a nation that has finally decided these looks-oriented contests are no longer necessary or desired for a particular gender, especially when there are more important priorities to pursue.
What an empowering way to welcome the Olympics and the year 2000. I don't care if Australia is trying to flood Hawaii with its underpriced mac nuts (see editorial at left). It's my favorite foreign post from now on.
The third piece of good news is closer to home and is titled, "Women as Resources in Hawaii." This just-released directory of local women's organizations and professionals was compiled and published by the Media Task Force of the Honolulu County Committee on the Status of Women.
Part one of this useful, free and informative soft-cover book -- soon to be available in public libraries, including those in public schools and at UH -- contains a listing of women's groups on Oahu, along with their addresses, phone numbers and contact persons. Part two is a data base of professional and volunteer women on Oahu who are considered experts in their fields.
ATTENTION media types, and also those who are in charge of getting speakers for Rotary groups, Lions Clubs and other regular gatherings: Instead of contacting the same old, same old talking heads, check out some of the knowledgeable sources in this directory.
They include Jan Berman of the Retail Merchants of Hawaii, Laura Crites of the Women's Financial Resource Center, Kelly Hill of Sisters Offering Support (prostitution), Eve Holt of the Hawaiian Humane Society, Grace Furukawa of the League of Women Voters, Carol Lee of the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Bette Tatum of the National Federation of Independent Businesses.
Man, oh, man -- look at the abundance of women's groups, speakers and/or resources in Hawaii. (Snort) Weaker sex, indeed.
Diane Yukihiro Chang's column runs Monday and Friday.
She can be reached by phone at 525-8607, via e-mail at
DianeChang@aol.com, or by fax at 523-7863.