Dear Amy,

Just finished Manifesta ....beautiful book. I'm a novice to digging into feminism, but I think I've always been a feminist, so here are my questions:

1. Now that the majority of the House has switched over, what will that mean to feminism?
2. Do you still think that now Bush is in office, Roe vs. Wade is in danger of being overturned?
3. Is Viagra still covered by insurance and fertility drugs not?

After reading your book I'm starving for more information and anxious to become more of an activist. I've been spreading the good word through great conversations with my friends (guys and girls), and I'm heading home this weekend with the sole purpose of connecting with my mom and my younger sister, Katie. I see too much of the introvert, angry, helplessness in Katie and I'm ready to get her fired up. I'm excited because my mom and my sister really kick ass and they're my best friends. Katie's a total riot grrl and doesn't know it yet. Could you maybe suggest some questions or topics that we should make a point of talking about that will open up the veins of understanding?

Thank you so much for everything you've done and everything you're going to do. I feel like somebody has flipped the windshield wipers on. I can see all the s--t that's infuriated me since I realized people with small minds cause way too much damage. F---ing with me is one thing but when my 7th grade sister was told she couldn't wear tank tops to school because it was too distracting, I got pissed, indignant and really sad. My sister was being held accountable for a 12 year-old libido. Doesn't that send the message that if she sports a tank, stilettos, or miniskirt she's asking for trouble....ugh! Anyway....sorry for going on. Thanks again.

Keep kicking ass....

Love,
Megan

Dear Megan,

Thanks for your note to feminist.com -- and what an inspiration. I'll answer your specific questions first:

1. Now that the majority of the House has switched over, what will that mean to feminism?
I don't think this will make much of a difference to feminism - being the majority Democratic, doesn't mean a feminist majority - but, I'm worried that some feminists will see it this way and become complacent. It will make a difference in certain areas - like the majority of Democrats wouldn't support legislation that made it impossible for women to have abortions, but many would support restrictions like parental consent laws, waiting periods, etc...

2. Do you still think that now Bush is in office, Roe vs. Wade is in danger of being overturned?
What is likely to happen is that Bush is likely to appoint 2-3 Supreme Court Justices during his time in office. It's predicted that he will nominate an anti-choice Justice - just like his father nominated Clarence Thomas. So I think that it is something to worry about - however, we can help to block these appointments when they arise, by lobbying the Senate Judiciary Committee.

3. Is Viagra still covered by insurance and fertility drugs not?
Yes, this is still true. There was some good news to recently come from either the Supreme Court of California or another court - though that mandated employers to make sure their employees health insurance covered birth control - so that's a step in the right direction or in an equal direction.

I think that's all - besides thanking you for your energizing email. I hope you keep having these conversations, keep devouring this information and applying it immediately. Good luck - and have fun.

Amy