In honor of Women’s History Month, Shattering the Ceiling is going to be profiling a series of women who we believe are making women’s history now.  These are the women who we want our daughters, sisters, nieces (and selves) knowing about and being inspired by.  And we imagine that when future generations are celebrating Women’s History, […]

In honor of Women’s History Month, Shattering the Ceiling is going to be profiling a series of women who we believe are making women’s history now.  These are the women who we want our daughters, sisters, nieces (and selves) knowing about and being inspired by.  And we imagine that when future generations are celebrating Women’s History, […]

When I was home in Wisconsin over the holidays, I was surprised to find how many of my relatives didn’t know about the Women’s March on Washington.  Some had vague ideas of what it was, but others had completely blank faces when I brought it up.  And when I offered words of encouragement that they should […]

Over the New Years weekend, I was lucky enough to spend time away with a group of women who are out there in the world kicking the proverbial asses with gusto.  As might be expected, talk turned to resolutions and plans for the year on more than one occasion.  As might further be expected, that […]

Because my Great Great Grandmother, Gorina Stensby Wheeler, saw her husband trade her daughter into marriage in exchange for livestock. Because Gorina had the courage to leave that husband, move to a new state, and set up a new life for her and her remaining children — all at a time when women Did. Not. Do. Those. Things. Because Gorina […]

Things have not been looking particularly rosy for the LGBTQ community and their allies and friends.  Vice President-Elect Mike Pence’s support of damaging conversion therapy and of laws discriminating against gay people are in keeping with the overall hostility to gay and transgendered Americans exhibited by Trump’s Administration writ large.  Every single cabinet member Trump has […]

The chapter “Election 2016” is coming to a close. But the task of continuing to grow and build the Great American Experiment is ongoing.  In that context, I’ve been reflecting on why I believe everyone should vote for Hillary – even my very Republican family members – and why I know the country will be […]

Today, Kate Harding, author of a range of feminist books including Asking For It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture and Lessons from the Fat-o-sphere: Quit Dieting and Declare a Truce with Your Body published an essay entitled: “A Reason to Thank Trump.”  In it, she listed out the surprising assortment of places and voices […]

Women have to be more vocal about wanting promotions. It isn’t fair (or legal), but for now it’s also true.

The New York Times recently published a fascinating and tragic article about a small group of women in rural India who challenged the social order of their village by seeking and obtaining jobs at a meat-processing factory. The women walked 10 miles each way (to save the 7-cent rickshaw fare) to the factory. There, they […]